Arsenal beat Monaco 3-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday evening as they boosted their chances of automatic qualification for the last 16.
Arsenal struggled to create much in the opening 20 minutes but swiftly burst into life following two wasted opportunities from Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian soon made amends for his profligacy by setting up Bukayo Saka for the opening goal of the game in the 34th minute.
Martin Odegaard should have put the game beyond Monaco’s reach in the dying embers of the first half as he failed to convert his one-v-one with Radoslaw Majecki. Fortune soon favoured the Gunners, however, as Gabriel Martinelli avoided a second yellow card for two silly fouls on the cusp of half-time.
Monaco could have drawn level after the break as Thilo Kehrer and Breel Embolo saw efforts fly wide of the post, but a mix-up between former Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu and goalkeeper Majecki allowed Saka to double the home side’s lead in the 78th minute. Kai Havertz then got in on the act in the closing stages as Saka’s strike deflected off the German’s shin.
The result sees Arsenal rise to third in the league phase table and provides them with an excellent chance of securing their place directly in the Champions League last 16 with two games remaining.
*Ratings provided by FotMob*
|
Player |
Ratings |
|---|---|
|
GK: David Raya |
7.6/10 |
|
RB: Thomas Partey |
7.4/10 |
|
CB: William Saliba |
7.4/10 |
|
CB: Jakub Kiwior |
7.2/10 |
|
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly |
7.4/10 |
|
CM: Martin Odegaard |
6.8/10 |
|
CM: Mikel Merino |
7.1/10 |
|
CM: Declan Rice |
7.1/10 |
|
RW: Bukayo Saka |
9.5/10 |
|
ST: Gabriel Jesus |
7.9/10 |
|
LW: Gabriel Martinelli |
6.8/10 |
|
SUB: Leandro Trossard (64′ for Martinelli) |
6.2/10 |
|
SUB: Jorginho (64′ for Rice) |
6.3/10 |
|
SUB: Jurrien Timber (64′ for Lewis-Skelly) |
6.2/10 |
|
SUB: Kai Havertz (73′ for Jesus) |
7.2/10 |
|
SUB: Ethan Nwaneri (79′ for Odegaard) |
6.5/10 |
Subs not used: Neto (GK), Tommy Setford (GK), Ayden Heaven, Josh Robinson, Kieran Tierney, Zane Monlouis, Raheem Sterling.
*Ratings provided by FotMob*
|
Player |
Ratings |
|---|---|
|
GK: Radoslaw Majecki |
4.7/10 |
|
RB: Vanderson |
6.5/10 |
|
CB: Mohammed Salisu |
5.9/10 |
|
CB: Thilo Kehrer |
4.9/10 |
|
LB: Caio Henrique |
5.4/10 |
|
CM: Soungoutou Magassa |
5.8/10 |
|
CM: Lamine Camara |
7.0/10 |
|
RM: Maghnes Akliouche |
6.6/10 |
|
AM: Aleksandr Golovin |
6.4/10 |
|
LM: Eliesse Ben Seghir |
6.4/10 |
|
ST: Breel Embolo |
5.8/10 |
|
SUB: Takumi Minamino (46′ for Magassa) |
6.4/10 |
|
SUB: Eliot Matazo (81′ for Camara) |
N/A |
|
SUB: Jordan Teze (81′ for Vanderson) |
N/A |
|
SUB: George Ilenikhena (81′ for Embolo) |
N/A |
Subs not used: Philipp Kohn (GK), Yann Lienard (GK), Kassoum Ouatarra, Samuel Nibombe, Joan Tincres, Lucas Michal.
Player of the match – Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
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