**CHAMPIONS LEAGUE**
**ARSENAL 3 (Saka 34 78, Havertz 87)**
**MONACO 0**
ARSENAL eased past Monaco with a dominant yet wasteful performance to go third in the Champions League with two games to go.
The opener came from Bukayo Saka, picked out at the back post by Jesus, who drove into space after clever play from Lewis-Skelly in the build up.
The ever-reliable Saka made it 2-0 late on after Monaco were caught by Martin Odegaard playing out from the back, colly clipping in from close range.
Kai Havertz, on as a late sub, flicked in a third late in what looked like an own goal from Saka’s pass.
It had until the second goal been a largely frustrating evening, despite the Gunners being in full control.
They spurned a hatful of chances in a sluggish first half that exposed perhaps once again the desperate need for a dead-eyed finisher.
Odegaard, Gabi Martinelli and Jesus were wasteful and despite the total dominance the stadium could not rest easy with the score at 1-0.
Monaco fought back in the second half and started to grow in confidence as frustration built.
With the visitors enjoying more and more of the ball, Embolo narrowly shot wide on the turn.
The sixth tie in the new Champions League format, started with Arsenal playing at a slow and plodding tempo.
It felt overly cautious given the lack of quality from the visitors, currently lying third in the French league.
In the first half, Odegaard swiveled his way into a great position after a sudden burst of pace from Saka, but blazed over.
The captain was jinking about in the box minutes later, but his shot ballooned well wide.
Jesus took a perfect long ball down in his stride and got a shot away but it was straight at keeper Majecki.
Moments later he was in again after a decent touch, but his one-on-one shot was easily blocked again.
All the Arsenal number 9 wants for Christmas is to end his devastatingly barren run – but it wasn’t to be.
Martinelli clipped a first time shot just wide before Odegaard missed an incredible chance to make it 2-0.
Racing through one on one he passed well wide of the far post.
Martinelli missed another golden chance before the half time whistle.
The second half saw more of the same with Arsenal enjoying endless possession on a night that could have been a serious thrashing.
There are two more fixtures in the new format in January – home to Zagreb and away at Girona.
**Arsenal:** Raya, Saliba, Partey, Kiwior, Lewis-Skellly (Timber 63), Rice (Jorginho 63), Merino, Odegaard (Nwaneri 80), Saka, Martinelli (Trossard 63), Jesus (Havertz 72)
**Subs not used:** Neto, Salford, Tierney, Sterling, Monlous, Robinson, Heaven.
**Monaco:** Majecki, Vanderson, Kehrer, Seghir, Golovin, Aldlouche, Henrique, Camare, Salieu, Embolo, Magases,
**Subs not used:** Kohn, Lienard, Teze, Malazo, Minamino, Ouattarra, Llenkhana, Michal, Nibombe, Tincres