Bukayo Saka starred with two goals as Arsenal secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Monaco at the Emirates Stadium, extending their unbeaten home run in the UEFA Champions League to eight matches. The win propels Arsenal into the UCL top-three, strengthening their bid for knockout stage qualification.
Arsenal dominated early possession but initially struggled to convert opportunities, with Gabriel Jesus twice denied by Monaco goalkeeper Radosław Majecki. The breakthrough came in the 34th minute when Myles Lewis-Skelly, making his UCL full debut, outmaneuvered Maghnes Akliouche to set up Jesus, who squared the ball for Saka to tap in at the back post.
Despite a near-miss from Martin Ødegaard, Arsenal ended the first half on the front foot, taking a deserved 1-0 lead into the break. Monaco showed signs of life after halftime, with Thilo Kehrer heading wide and Breel Embolo firing off target. However, a defensive error in the 78th minute handed Arsenal their second goal. Mohammed Salisu’s misplaced back pass forced Majecki into a rushed clearance, which landed at Saka’s feet. The winger coolly slotted home to double Arsenal’s advantage.
Arsenal added a third in the 88th minute when Kai Havertz deflected Saka’s shot into the net following a quick free-kick, capping off an impressive performance.
Key Performances:
- Bukayo Saka: Two goals and a hand in the third, cementing his role as Arsenal’s talisman.
- Myles Lewis-Skelly: A composed display on his UCL full debut, providing the assist for the opener.
- Gabriel Jesus: Threatened Monaco’s defense despite being unable to find the net.
What’s Next?
- Arsenal: Host Everton in the Premier League on Saturday, aiming to extend their unbeaten home scoring streak, which dates back to April.
- Monaco: Return to domestic action the same day, keeping their hopes alive for a top-eight finish in the UCL league phase.
Arsenal’s performance reaffirms their growing dominance in Europe, while Monaco will need to regroup quickly to maintain their campaign ambitions.
