Arsenal took a giant step towards the Champions League knockout stage as Bukayo Saka's double helped them to a 3-0 victory over Monaco on Wednesday.
2024/2025 UEFA Champions League
3-0
Match Report
Mikel Arteta's side began the fixture outside the top eight in the expanded league stage but jumped up to third with Saka again the catalyst.
He tucked in a Gabriel Jesus cross at the far post in the 34th minute. though Arsenal should have been out of sight before the interval.
The Brazilian missed two glorious opportunities while one-on-one with Radoslaw Majecki, with Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli also guilty of wasting chances.
Monaco threatened to make Arsenal pay for that profligacy after the interval, but the visitors gifted Saka his second goal in the 78th minute, as Majecki's rushed clearance fell straight to his feet.
Substitute Kai Havertz then rubber-stamped the victory with a close-range third 10 minutes later, though the final touch on Saka's low cross could have come off Thilo Kehrer, leaving Monaco in 16th.
A good night's work in N5 pic.twitter.com/DomVfQTa0t
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 11, 2024
Data Debrief: Leading from the front
As he has so many times before this season, Saka was once again at the heart of the action as he gave Arsenal's hopes of clinching automatic qualification a huge boost.
Only Mohamed Salah (28) has been involved in more goals in all competitions among Premier League players than Saka this season (nine goals, 12 assists).
Since the start of last season, only Harry Kane (18), Vinicius Junior (16) and Antoine Griezmann (13) have been involved in more Champions League goals than Saka (eight goals, six assists).
While Arsenal's attacking play has caught the eye often, their defensive work should also be credited. Since the start of last season, the Gunners have won seven of their eight Champions League home matches (D1), keeping a clean sheet in every single victory.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
7' Merino fizzes a low ball from left to right, but Jesus can't get a touch to it
9' Golovin hits it 25 yards out and the ball whips past the post and goes wide
19' Odegaard cuts in and aims for the top corner, with the ball going over the top
26' CLOSE! Jesus is through on goal but the keeper does a superb save!
28' Another one-on-one chance for Arsenal and once again Jesus misses it!
32' Yellow Card! Martinelli gets the first yellow card of this match
34' Saka opens the scoring following great play by Lewis-Skelly! Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
38' Martinelli has pulled away from his marker but sends it just wide
40' CLOSE! Arsenal miss another one-on-one opportunity as Odegaard's shot just wide
42' Odegaard finds Martinelli but he again can't hit the target
46' Ex-Liverpool and Southampton midfielder Takumi Minamino is coming on for Monaco
47' A lazy trip from Kiwior gifts Monaco a free-kick and they nearly make it 1-1
62' Minamino should've opted for power as the placed effort was too close to Raya
64' A triple change for Arsenal as Timber, Jorginho and Trossard subbed on
78' Saka makes brace to double the lead for Gunners! Arsenal 2-0 Monaco
87' Havertz adds another one for hosts from Saka's assist! Arsenal 3-0 Monaco
Line-ups
Arsenal XI: Partey, David Raya, Martin Ødegaard, Merino, Jesus, Rice, Martinelli, William Saliba, Saka, Jakub Kiwior, Myles Lewis-Skelly
Subs: Neto, Trossard, Sterling, Jorginho, Tierney, Havertz, Jurrien Timber, Zane Monlouis, Tommy Setford, Ethan Nwaneri, Josh Robinson, Ayden Heaven
Monaco XI: Kehrer, Golovin, Embolo, Radoslaw Majecki, Caio Henrique, Mohammed Salisu, Vanderson, Maghnes Akliouche, Soungoutou Magassa, Lamine Camara, Eliesse Ben Seghir
Subs: Minamino, Philipp Köhn, Jordan Teze, Eliot Matazo, Yann Lienard, Lucas Michal, Kassoum Ouattara, George Ilenikhena, Joan Tincres