Bukayo Saka delivered a stellar performance, scoring twice as Arsenal extended their unbeaten home run in the UEFA Champions League to eight matches with a commanding 3-0 victory over Monaco at the Emirates Stadium. The win propels the Gunners into the top three of the league phase.
Both teams came into the match on level pegging on 10 points, with Arsenal keen to make amends for Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Fulham. Despite a bright opening, the Gunners initially found it difficult to find a way through Monaco’s rearguard. Jesus had two close calls in the first half, heading over a long ball by Jakub Kiwior and failing to beat Monaco goalkeeper Radosław Majecki following a Gabriel Martinelli cutback.
The breakthrough came in the 34th minute, with UCL debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly impressively outmanoeuvring Maghnes Akliouche before setting up Jesus, who provided a pinpoint cross for Saka to tap in at the far post. Martin Ødegaard missed a chance to double the lead before the interval, while Martinelli had to tread carefully after an early booking.
Monaco were more purposeful after the break, Thilo Kehrer heading wide from a set-piece and Breel Embolo failing to connect with a turning effort. Their attempt to play out from the back proved costly, though. A misjudged pass from Mohammed Salisu forced Majecki into an error, allowing Saka to pounce for his second in the 78th minute.
The result was sealed in the 88th minute when Kai Havertz, at full stretch, turned Saka’s deflected shot in from a cute quick free-kick.
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Arsenal’s scoring streak at home now stretches to April, moving a step closer to the knockout stage in the process. Next up for the Gunners are Saturday’s Premier League visit of Everton, while Monaco seek to keep their top-eight UCL hopes alive on domestic duty.