ARSENAL defeated Monaco 3-0 in a one-sided clash as the Gunners leapt up to third in the Champions League table.
Bukayo Saka fired the Gunners ahead after a stunning move which was kicked off by 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly, who started at left-back.
Saka then doubled Arsenal’s lead with 15 minutes to play, capitalising on a horror Monaco defensive error in their own box.
Kai Havertz appeared to knock home the Gunners’ third after connecting with Saka’s shot to put the game out of the French side’s reach – but it was later ruled as a Thilo Kehrer own goal with the defender having the final touch.
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That’s all from the Emirates
The frustrations of Fulham have been forgotten.
After Premier League disappointment at the weekend, Arsenal roared back with a comprehensive home victory in the Champions League that has them flying high in Europe.
Bukayo Saka was once against the Gunners’ star boy with his double added to by an own goal from former West Ham man Thilo Kehrer.
The result has Mikel Arteta’s men back in the winning mood, and that could prove crucial when they return to Emirates entertainment against Everton on Saturday.
We’ll be in place to bring you all the action on the afternoon – you won’t miss a kick!
Until then, thank you for joining us and goodnight.
Lift off for Lewis-Skelly
At 18 years and 76 days, Myles Lewis-Skelly became the youngest player to start a Champions League match for Arsenal since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back in September 2011.
And now the teenager has his sights on a similar career at the top level of the game – albeit without the injuries endured by his predecessor.
Lewis-Skelly completed 45 of 47 passes evening (96%), the best passing accuracy by an Arsenal teenager in Europe’s top competition since Johan Djourou (97%) against Hamburg in September 2006, the same month Lewis-Skelly was born.
After the game, the 18-year-old revealed that he hoped this was the basis for many more European appearances at the Emirates.
I’m proud of myself, and I believe in myself. I’ve come a long way and I just want to thank everyone for giving me the opportunity; hopefully, it’s the first of many. I’ll push on from here.”
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Arteta delighted with fast start
Mikel Arteta revealed himself to be a very happy Arsenal manager after this evening’s three-goal win over Monaco.
But the Gunners boss admitted his team had to worked hard in the second period to keep their noses in front before a late second from Bukao Saka and an own goal from Thilo Kehrer sealed matters.
However, Arteta believed that the result was just rewards for his team’s performance in the opening 45 minutes, a half in which they could have killed the contest off.
I’m very happy tonight. I’m happy with scoring three goals, keeping a clean sheet and winning the game. We started the game so very well, and in the first-half we should have been at least three or four up at least. We could have put the game to bed, but we didn’t.
Mikel Arteta
Bukayo the star of the show
Sensational Bukayo Saka was the standout star for Arsenal once again as he hit a double at the Emirates to down Monaco.
The 23-year-old has now scored in six of his seven Champions League home appearances for the Gunners, while he has been involved in 14 goals in 14 games overall for the Londoners in the competition (eight goals and six assists).
In all competitions this season, only Mohamed Salah (16 goals and 12 assists) has been involved in more goals among Premier League players this season than Saka (nine goals and 12 assists).
Saka: Myles can go for
Bukayo Saka scored two goals to fire Arsenal into the top eight of the Champions League table, and then paid tribute to his teenage teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Lewis-Skelly was making his first Champions League start at left-back for the Gunners and performed admirably, playing his part in the opening goal.
[Myles’ future] is very bright! He just needs to keep the same head that he’s had so far. His mentality is top, and he’s always asking questions and looking to learn. I’m so proud of him.
Bukayo Saka
Kai suffers goal blow
Oh no for Kai Havertz!
OG yes for Thilo Kehrer!
UEFA have confirmed in the last few minutes that Arsenal’s third this evening has officially gone down in the record books as an own-goal by Monaco captain Kehrer.
The former West Ham man is adjudged to have got the telling final touch despite the slightest deflection from Havertz on Bukayo Saka’s initial shot.
Champions League matchday six results
The new-look League Phase in the Champions League is now three-quarters of the way through its inaugural campaign, and European life is looking good for Arsenal and their Premier League rivals.
The Gunners joined Aston Villa and Liverpool in registering wins on matchday six, and the three clubs now occupy the top five places in the 32-team table.
However, it’s a different story for the 2022 champions Manchester City, who fell to another defeat and are now in real danger of not even making the play-off stage of the competition.
- AC Milan 2-1 Red Star Belgrade
- Arsenal 3-0 Monaco
- Atletico Madrid 3-1 Slovan Bratislava
- Benfica 0-0 Bologna
- Dortmund 2-3 Barcelona
- Feyenoord 4-2 Sparta Prague
- Juventus 2-0 Man City
- Lille 3-2 Sturm Graz
- Stuttgart 5-1 Young Boys
Match stats from the Emirates
Since the start of last season, Arsenal have won seven of their eight Champions League home games (D1), keeping a clean sheet in every single one of those victories.
The Gunners’ seven clean sheets are the most by a side on home soil in the competition over the last two campaigns.
From Martin Blackburn in Turin
A good night for Arsenal, but another troubling one for Manchester City. Martin Blackburn has the latest from Turin after the Premier League champions fall to a 2-0 defeat at Juventus…
One win in 10 matches now as Manchester City’s season continues to unravel.
Seven of those have been defeats and with games against United and Aston Villa to come it could yet get worse before it gets better. City are shipping goals at an alarming rate – while struggling to take their chances when they are on top.
In the shadow of the Alps, this defeat shows Pep has a mountain to climb to restore his team to what they were.
Full time – Arsenal 3-0 Monaco
Life is three and easy for Arsenal this evening.
Three goals, three points, and third in the Champions League table to match their third spot in the Premier League.
Arsenal 3-0 Monaco
90. Three minutes of stoppage time has been signalled by the fourth official, which is just enough time for everyone inside the Emirates Stadium to point out that all the goals this evening were scored from open play.
Arsenal 3-0 Monaco
88. The ball is turned in, and Arsenal have three goals to match their three points.
Kai Havertz is the one claiming the third, but it’s going to take some further inspection to work out what happened.
Replays show an angled shot from Bukayo Saka shot on the right deflects up into the net at the near post after a touch off the shin of Havertz, and then a more telling one from Monaco defender Thilo Kehrer.
And while the visiting captain doesn’t want any part in the celebrations, the Arsenal substitute is more than happy to have his name back on the scoresheet.
Icing on the cake!
Arsenal 2-0 Monaco
85. There are five minutes left on the clock, and with Arsenal having made all of their substitutions, it means Bukayo Saka will be playing the full 90.
The forward has never scored a hat-trick for the Gunners, although he has netted one for England. Is this the night?
Arsenal 2-0 Monaco
82. With another three Champions League points in the bag, Mikel Arteta feels its time for another impressive cameo from Ethan Nwaneri.
The Hale End wonderkid replaces club captain Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal 2-0 Monaco
80. Monaco boss Adi Hutter responds with a triple change.
Jordan Teze, Eliot Matazo and George Ilenikhena are on for the visitors, replacing Vanderson, the excellent Lamine Camara and Breel Embolo.
Arsenal 2-0 Monaco
78. A goal scored by Bukayo Saka in North London – but made at the Southampton defensive circus by Mohammed Salisu.
The centre-back may not ply his trade at St Mary’s anymore, but is just as adept at making a mess of playing out from the back as anyone in red and white stripes this season.
Salisu’s short pass to goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki is charged down by Kai Havertz, and when the ball pops back up in his direction, he is too slow to react.
One player who is never slow is Saka, who nips in to control, and cooly knock home from close range.
Game over.
Sealed by Saka!
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
74. Well, it really should have been sealed by the home side on the break!
Arsenal turn over play quickly and counter with Leandro Trossard leading the charge.
The Belgian has the simple task of playing in the unmarked Martin Odegaard on his right, but fluffs the pass by hitting the only defender in his way.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
72. You do get the sense that there is a second goal in this, but whether it comes from Monaco finally breaking through or Arsenal capitalising on the counter, I don’t know.
Eighteen minutes plus stoppage time remain in North London, and a place in the top eight of the League Phase is up for grabs.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
70. Monaco are pinning Arsenal back with a spell of relentless running, if somewhat lacking in penetration.
In particular, 20-year-old Lamine Camara has looked very good in midfield for the visitors.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
68. With a quarter of the contest remaining, Arsenal’s lead remains a narrow one – and they have just not got going in the second period.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
66. Embolo! It should be 1-1!
The Swiss striker finds room to turn in the box, and from 10 yards out thumps his shot narrowly wide of the post.
It might even have rippled the side-netting on the way through.
It’s the closest Monaco have come to scoring this evening.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
65. A trio of changes from Mikel Arteta.
The Arsenal coach introduces Jurrien Timber, Jorginho and Leandro Trossard for Myles Lewis-Skelly, Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli.
Lewis-Skelly, in particular, can be pleased with his work on his first ever Champions League start.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
63. The third yellow card of the encounter is shown to Monaco’s right-back Vanderson.
The Brazilian is cautioned for pulling the shirt of Gabriel Martinelli.
He joins his compatriot in the book along with Mikel Marino, who was yellow carded a few minutes ago.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
