Arsenal moved a step closer to securing their place in the Champions League last 16 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Monaco at the Emirates Stadium. The win leaves the Gunners needing just one more positive result to seal progression from their group.
Despite an early scare when Aleksandr Golovin’s curling effort narrowly missed David Raya’s post, Arsenal asserted their dominance from the outset. The hosts created a flurry of chances but struggled to make their early pressure count. Gabriel Jesus, who had managed just one goal in his previous 32 matches, found himself twice denied by Monaco goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki when through on goal. However, Arsenal eventually broke the deadlock in the 34th minute. Myles Lewis-Skelly, making his first Champions League start, played a key role with a clever pass to Jesus, who set up Bukayo Saka to fire the Gunners ahead.
Arsenal could have extended their lead before halftime but lacked precision in front of goal. Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Martinelli both squandered opportunities, firing wide of the far post and keeping Monaco within touching distance.
The visitors almost stunned Arsenal again early in the second half. Lamine Camara’s pinpoint free kick found Thilo Kehrer unmarked in the box, but the defender, formerly of West Ham, headed wide. Monaco continued to threaten, and midway through the second half, they had their best chance of the game. William Saliba’s rare mistake gifted possession to Takumi Minamino, who teed up Breel Embolo. The Swiss forward twisted past Jakub Kiwior but dragged his shot narrowly wide of the target.
Monaco’s missed opportunities proved costly as Arsenal took advantage of a defensive error to secure victory. Goalkeeper Majecki, under pressure from Ødegaard, played a loose pass directly to Saka, who coolly slotted home his second goal of the night.
Substitute Kai Havertz added a late third to cap off the evening, giving the scoreline a more comfortable look than the performance might have deserved. With the win, Arsenal climbed to third in the group standings. A victory in their next fixture at home to Dinamo Zagreb on January 22 would almost certainly guarantee their place in the knockout stages.
