Bukayo Saka has been nominated for the official Champions League Player of the Week award after his two goals and an assist against Monaco on Wednesday night.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal applauds the fans after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Arsenal FC and AS Monaco at Emirates Stadium on December 11, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Arsenal eased past Monaco 3-0 on Wednesday night to move up to third place in the Champions League’s League Phase and take a commanding position in their chase for a top-eight finish.
The Gunners largely had Bukayo Saka to thank for that result, with the winger contributing to all three goals.
As a result, Saka has received a deserved nomination for Champions League Player of the Week, up for the award alongside Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, and Brest’s Marco Bizot. Voting is currently open here.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Arsenal FC and AS Monaco at Emirates Stadium on December 11, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Saka opened the scoring after finding space at the back post to slide home a finish from Gabriel Jesus’ low cross. The winger then doubled Arsenal’s lead in the second half with a confident finish after Kai Havertz had nicked the ball off the goalkeeper.
The winger was perhaps trying to score his third when he fired a shot across the six-yard box in the 88th minute, but Havertz again got a touch to claim the goal and hand Saka the assist – albeit that Havertz’s touch was heavily deflected by Monaco’s Thilo Kehrer.
Saka created two more chances on top of his assist, and he racked up three interceptions and three tackles on the defensive end of a hardworking performance.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Arsenal FC and AS Monaco at Emirates Stadium on December 11, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Olise is perhaps Saka’s primary competition, as the only other player to have provided three goal contributions. Griezmann managed two, whilst goalkeeper Bizot made the shortlist for his five saves against PSV Eindhoven.
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