Arsenal secured their position in the top three of the Champions League, at least for now, with a convincing 3-0 victory over Monaco on Wednesday night.
Mikel Arteta’s side started brightly, creating opportunities through Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Jesus, both of whom squandered excellent chances. However, the Gunners found the back of the net in the 34th minute when Bukayo Saka connected with a cross from Jesus to poke the ball home.
In the second half, although Monaco showed some promise, Arsenal quickly doubled their lead due to a defensive error that gifted Saka another easy finish. The match was sealed shortly after when Kai Havertz received a slight deflection off a Saka shot, steering the ball into the net.
Mail Sport’s Isaan Khan provided player ratings for the home side, reflecting their strong performance throughout the match. Arsenal’s attack was lively, and their defense held firm, contributing to a solid team victory.
Arsenal moved up to third in the Champions League after beating Monaco on Wednesday night
Mikel Arteta watched on as his side strolled to victory over the Ligue 1 giants in north London
ARSENAL (4-3-3):
David Raya – 6.5: Raya had a steady performance, with a couple of close calls as the ball whistled past his posts. He made a few errant passes that could have been costly.
Thomas Partey – 6.5: Partey worked hard and showed intelligence on the ball, playing himself out of danger on several occasions. He put in a solid shift overall.
Jakub Kiwior – 6.5: Kiwior delivered an exceptional cross-field pass to Gabriel Jesus, who should have scored. He was generally good in his ball play throughout the match.
William Saliba – 6.5: Saliba was mostly composed at the back but had a concerning moment around the 65-minute mark when he gave the ball away, almost leading to a goal. He faced some challenges from Monaco’s attacks.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7.5: Lewis-Skelly stepped up impressively on his big night. His pass set up Bukayo Saka’s goal, and with injuries hampering the left-back position, he could potentially make that spot his own moving forward.
Youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly produced an encouraging display on his big night
Martin Ødegaard – 7: Despite missing an early chance, Ødegaard put on a sensational display. He made a crucial interception in the first half and set up Gabriel Martinelli with a perfect pass.
Declan Rice – 8: Rice was exceptional in midfield, demonstrating energy and composure. He made a series of effective passes and put in a solid shift throughout the match.
Mikel Merino – 6: Merino had a mixed performance, giving the ball away a few times. While he showed moments of quality, consistency was lacking.
Bukayo Saka – 8: Saka converted Gabriel Jesus’ cross neatly and was fortunate to score a second goal in the second half. He also provided an assist, further solidifying his impact on the game.
Bukayo Saka – 8: Saka bagged a brace and provided an assist, playing a crucial role in securing victory for Arsenal.
Gabriel Jesus – 5.5: It was a frustrating display for Jesus. Although he got an assist, he missed several good chances to score.
Gabriel Martinelli – 6: Martinelli was active and enjoyed getting on the ball, delivering some decent crosses. However, his end product could have been better.
Substitutions:
Leandro Trossard – 6.5: Contributed positively after coming on, adding depth to the attack.
Jorginho – 6.5: Provided solid support in midfield during his time on the pitch.
Jurrien Timber – 6.5: Helped stabilize the defense and contributed effectively in his role.
Kai Havertz – 7: Showed improvement and played well, contributing to the team’s overall performance.
Ethan Nwaneri – N/A: Did not have enough time on the pitch to be rated.
Manager:
Mikel Arteta – 6.5: The manager’s tactics were effective, but the game should have been secured by halftime. His faith in starting Myles Lewis-Skelly at left back paid off, showcasing his ability to trust younger players.