Bukayo Saka delivered a stellar performance, netting twice as Arsenal dominated Monaco with a 3-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
The win places the Gunners closer to securing a spot in the Champions League knockout stages.
The Gunners began the match on the front foot, with Gabriel Jesus posing a constant threat. In the 6th minute, Mikel Merino embarked on a mazy run through Monaco’s defense, but his attempted pass to Jesus was marginally overcooked.
Jesus soon followed up with a potent effort, unleashing a powerful shot that forced Monaco goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki into a sharp save, parrying the ball to safety.
Arsenal’s relentless pressure finally yielded a goal in the 34th minute, as Jesus teed up Saka, who coolly converted from close range to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage.
Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard nearly extended the lead but sent their efforts narrowly wide.
Monaco displayed glimpses of attacking promise, with Thilo Kehrer and Takumi Minamino testing Arsenal’s defensive resolve. Nevertheless, goalkeeper David Raya proved unyielding, blocking Minamino’s low-driven effort in the 63rd minute.
Saka doubled Arsenal’s lead in the 78th minute after capitalising on a defensive error, maintaining his composure to slot home.
The crowd erupted again in the 88th minute when Saka’s shot deflected off substitute Kai Havertz and into the net, sealing the victory at 3-0.
A brief VAR review followed the final goal to check for offside in the build-up, but the decision stood, confirming Arsenal’s emphatic win.
