Adi Hutter
Image credit: Getty Images
Monaco manager Adi Hutter conceded that Arsenal deserved their victory following a 3-0 defeat in London on Wednesday night. The Gunners clinched a comfortable lead by the end, despite opportunities in the first half being squandered due to poor finishing and commendable goalkeeping by Monaco’s Polish goalkeeper, Radosław Majecki.
Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard, and Gabriel Martinelli all had opportunities but failed to convert. However, it was Bukayo Saka who broke the deadlock before halftime with a well-taken goal from a smart cross by Jesus.
Although Arsenal looked somewhat shaky, the match was secured when Majecki, under pressure from substitute Kai Havertz, made a costly error, gifting Saka his second goal of the evening. Havertz then added a third late in the game, wrapping up what had been a challenging night for Arsenal but ultimately securing their position as third in the Champions League standings.
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Despite a close call from Aleksandr Golovin, whose shot narrowly missed David Raya’s post, Arsenal maintained control throughout the match.
Arsenal - Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka scored twice against Monaco in the Champions League (Image credit: Getty Images)
Post-match, Adi Hutter reflected on the performance, “Arsenal deserved this win. They were the better team. This is what we expected but in the second half, I don’t want to say we were dominating but we were much better. We had some good chances with Kehrer and Minamino. The second goal was the crucial moment – we gave Arsenal some gifts.”
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He continued, expressing frustration over the mistakes, “At this level, it’s impossible. It’s not acceptable to do what we did. These mistakes are more gifts – we were lucky that Arsenal missed so many chances. In the second half, I was happy with how we started.
“This is the football I want to see – brave, here in Emirates Stadium. We have a young squad. There were moments when we were closer to the equaliser. But then after the second goal, it was too much at this level.”
Arsenal now shifts their focus back to domestic football, with Everton visiting the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday.
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