Arsenal took a significant stride towards securing a spot in the Champions League last 16 with a convincing 3-0 victory over Monaco at the Emirates Stadium. Bukayo Saka, the dynamic English forward, spearheaded the Gunners’ attack, netting a brace with goals late in each half. Kai Havertz added a late flourish with a third goal in the closing minutes, solidifying Arsenal’s position in third place in the revamped league phase of the competition. This win represents a crucial step forward for Mikel Arteta’s side, who now hold their destiny firmly in their own hands as they aim to secure a top-eight finish, which guarantees automatic progression to the knockout stages.
The victory against Monaco provided a welcome boost for Arsenal, who were looking to bounce back from a disappointing 1-1 draw against Fulham in the Premier League. This win, their fifth in the last six games across all competitions, underlined the team’s resilience and attacking prowess. With two group stage matches remaining against Dinamo Zagreb and Girona in January, Arsenal are well-placed to avoid the precarious play-off route faced by teams finishing ninth to 24th in the expanded 36-team first phase. The north London side will be brimming with confidence as they approach these final group stage encounters, seeking to secure their passage to the coveted knockout rounds.
Arsenal’s defensive injury woes continued to plague them, with Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Takehiro Tomiyasu all sidelined. This forced Mikel Arteta to improvise, deploying midfielder Thomas Partey as a makeshift right-back, despite Partey having missed training the day prior to the match. The defensive reshuffle also provided a rare opportunity for 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly, who started at left-back for only the second time in his Arsenal career. Lewis-Skelly, the youngest player to start a Champions League match for Arsenal since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2011, demonstrated composure and maturity beyond his years, delivering a standout performance in the face of high-stakes European competition.
While Arsenal’s youthful defensive contingent shone, Gabriel Jesus’s goal drought extended to a concerning 32 games. The Brazilian forward struggled to find his finishing touch, squandering several opportunities that could have put the game to bed earlier. A tame shot straight at Monaco goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki, followed by a mistimed run and another close-range effort saved by Majecki, highlighted Jesus’s lack of confidence in front of goal. Despite his struggles to convert chances, Jesus’s movement and link-up play continued to cause problems for the Monaco defense, ultimately playing a crucial role in the build-up to Arsenal’s opening goal.
The breakthrough finally came in the 34th minute, stemming from a flowing Arsenal move. Lewis-Skelly’s incisive pass found Jesus, who, despite his earlier struggles, expertly exploited the space behind the Monaco defense. His low cross into the box provided Saka with a simple tap-in, breaking the deadlock and rewarding Arsenal’s persistent attacking pressure. Saka’s goal, his fourth in six games, underscored his growing importance to the team and his ability to deliver in crucial moments. While Martin Odegaard missed a gilt-edged chance to double Arsenal’s lead just before half-time, the Gunners entered the break with a deserved advantage.
The second half saw a period of Monaco pressure, with Takumi Minamino and Breel Embolo testing David Raya in the Arsenal goal, and Thilo Kehrer narrowly missing a header. Despite these moments of vulnerability, Arsenal weathered the storm and regained control of the match. In the 78th minute, Saka capitalized on Majecki’s hesitation to clear the ball, poking home his second of the night to secure the victory. Havertz added the finishing touch in the 88th minute, converting Saka’s shot to seal a comprehensive 3-0 win. The victory not only puts Arsenal in a commanding position to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages but also provides a timely confidence boost as they navigate a challenging period marked by defensive injuries.
