Mikel Arteta 'happy' with Arsenal's Champions League win over Monaco
Arsenal defeated visiting Monaco 3-0 in Champions League play on Wednesday in a match that left Mikel Arteta pleased with the way his side performed.
A pair of goals by Bukayo Saka and a late deflection by Kai Havertz gave the Gunners the three-goal cushion in a match they dominated, although it took the London side until the final 15 minutes to put the result out of reach.
Regardless, the three points boosted Arsenal into third place in the Champions League table with two matches remaining in the league phase, and Arteta walked away satisfied by the way his team dealt with a plucky Monaco side.
Read next | 'We overcomplicate things' - Manchester City rue Champions League loss to Juventus
"Very happy," the Arsenal manager told TNT Sports when asked of his impression of the match. "Obviously scoring the three goals, keeping a clean sheet and winning the game.
"We started the game very well, in the first half we should have put the game to bed but we didn't. In the Champions League you will have difficult moments and we suffered but then with the second goal the game was in control."
Wednesday's clash was notable for the way Arsenal scored the three goals, as all came from open play. This is in stark contrast to most of their recent goals, which have come off set-pieces.
Arteta was relieved to see his team not rely on corner kicks or free kicks for a match.
"Very good, especially because they were very different goals," he said. "That's what we want, from every phase of play to be a threat. We could have scored many goals from open play but anyway very happy."
Usyk vs. Fury 2 - Buy now
Usyk vs. Fury 2 - Buy now
More Football