Saka’s brace gives the Gunners a vital win

Bukayo Saka scored twice as Arsenal beat Monaco 3-0 in the Champions League.

Saka found the net in both halves, with substitute Kai Havertz adding a third, as Mikel Arteta’s side won in a game they dominated at the Emirates.

The result lifted the Gunners to third in the Champions League table, while Monaco dropped to 16th.

Good night work at N5 💪 pic.twitter.com/DomVfQTa0t

– Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 11, 2024

Both teams have been looking to make impressive starts to their European campaigns.

Level at the point on the table, slightly separated the two sides before the start. Their goals were similarly matched: get into the eight groups to qualify for the Round of 16.

But it was the home side that seemed to be the most important part of the project. Gabriel Jesus had an early attempt at goal but his shot only found the hands of Radoslaw Majecki in the Monaco goal.

Mikel Merino then fired the ball home from six yards as Arsenal settled into their path.

Majecki made another good save from Jesus on 25 minutes before making another impressive stop to deny Brazil a few minutes later.

Young defender Myles Lewis-Skelly made his Champions League debut for the Gunners. And the 18-year-old, who didn’t put a foot wrong all night, was instrumental in opening the scoring.

After leaping at the opponent, his pass found Jesus whose low cross was smashed behind by Saka.

The young team of Monaco, in the end, was easy on the eyes, but the goal of the host was not surprised by Arteta’s team starting to show their class.

Such dominance should have yielded a second goal when Martin Odegaard fired one in. But the Arsenal captain sent his shot over when he should have done better.

Bukayo Saka is an easy finish following a brilliant Gabriel Jesus pass 😮‍💨

Amazing performance by Myles Lewis-Skelly on his first Champions League start 👏

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– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 11, 2024

After the break, the visitors brought on former Liverpool player Takumi Minamino. The change seems to breathe new life into Monaco.

Minamino first found the gloves of David Raya with a deep effort before the Japan international found Breel Embolo but the Swiss striker denied his fierce shot.

Arsenal, meanwhile, struggled to get back into their first half. Leandro Trossard sent a gun into the living room before Merino dropped the head he wanted.

But just when it looked like the Gunners might be in the final 15 minutes, they were gifted a second goal when a mistake from Monaco defender Mohammed Salisu gave Saka his second gift of the night.

Arsenal regained their mojo, as a two-goal deficit looked set to overwhelm the visitors.

And with three 90 minutes remaining, it was three when substitute Havertz guided Saka to hit a half-volley into the roof of the net.

Arsenal are heading into the continent’s most spectacular domestic season.