After six games in the Champions League’s new league phase, Arsenal are in third position behind Liverpool and Barcelona and are well-placed for automatic promotion.
Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side have two more winnable fixtures in the competition before a round of play-off games will be played – ones the Gunners will be hoping to avoid.
Against Monaco, Arsenal’s 3-0 scoreline appeared very comfortable, however, there was a lengthy period of the game at the Emirates Stadium when the hosts lost control.
Arteta was becoming more and more frustrated on the sidelines and Monaco were dominating the ball and creating chances right after half-time.
Gabriel Jesus guilty of wasting two brilliant chances vs Monaco
Speaking at his press conference after the game, Arteta admitted that he was ‘disappointed’ with his side’s finishing in the first half.
Had the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli taken their chances in the first 45, Arsenal could have been three, four or even five goals up.
Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, speaks with Declan Rice of Arsenal as he leaves the pitch after being substituted during the UEFA Champions Leagu...
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
READ MORE: French media delivers Myles Lewis-Skelly verdict after Arsenal youngster’s display v Monaco
Instead, the home side had to cling on for 15 minutes or so, before Kai Havertz’s hard work earned Arsenal a 2-0 lead.
Digesting the game shortly after full-time, Arteta thought that Arsenal might regret not taking their opportunity to improve their goal difference.
Arteta said: “I’m disappointed we didn’t score another three or four especially in the first half, because we had some big, big chances.
“That’s going to be crucial and looking at the table and how tight it is, [goal difference] is going to be really important. We’re in a good position, we still have a lot to do, so one more.”
Myles Lewis-Skelly makes the difference for Arsenal
Speaking during his own side of the aftermath, Monaco manager Adi Hutter also discussed how wasteful both sides were on a subdued night at the Emirates.
Hutter thought Monaco were lucky against Arsenal, saying that his side had a chance to come back into the game when it should have already been finished.
In truth, the visitors looked a bit lightweight against the physically imposing side that Arteta has built.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was brilliant, but there were still concerns elsewhere on the pitch.
And whilst it was great to see Jesus get a chance to start, his industry and determination wasn’t matched by his finishing in front of goal, a familiar tale.
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