Arsenal 2-0 Monaco LIVE SCORE: Bukayo Saka on the double with Gunners sailing into top-eight place in Champions League
ARSENAL are leading French outfit Monaco RIGHT NOW with a top-eight Champions League finish in their sights.
Bukayo Saka fired the Gunners ahead after a stunning move kicked off by 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly, who started at left-back.
And Saka then doubled Arsenal's lead with 15 minutes to play, capitalising on a horror Monaco defensive error in their own box.
- Kick-off time: 8pm GMT
- Live stream: discovery+
- TV channel: TNT Sports 1
- Arsenal starting team: Raya; Partey, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Merino, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Jesus
- Monaco starting team: Majecki; Vanderson, Salisu, Kehrer, Caio Henrique; Camara, Magassa, Golovin; Ben Seghir, Embolo, Akliouche
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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.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
61. Some sublime Saka movement on the right is let down by an overly hit pass down the flank by Partey.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
59. The corner is punched clear by Majecki, and both teams take the opportunity to reset.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta is preparing changes on the touchline.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
57. Much better from the Gunners, and it's a upturn sparked by Mikel Merino.
The Spaniard turns brilliantly in midfield to counter the high pressure, and then finds Gabriel Martinelli on the left.
The Brazilian accelerates on the left, and his dangerous cross is eventually turned behind by Mohammed Salisu.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
54. Arsenal have started the second period somewhat sloppily.
As a result, Monaco are starting to pile on the pressure without being overly threatening.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
52. More sensible play from Lewis-Skelly at left-back to alleviate some danger.
The youngster has done well to deal with the threat of Maghnes Akliouche.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
50. Minamo fires a 30-yarder off target.
And when I say 30-yarder, I mean that's how high the volley rose above David Raya's crossbar.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
48. Close to an equaliser!
Former West Ham man Kehrer gets up highest to meet an inswinging free-kick from the right, and plants his header just wide of David Raya's goal.
In fact, he really should have netted the leveller.
A timely reminder to Arsenal that their lead is just a single goal.
Kick-off - Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
46. There is a change to report at the start of the second half, but it's not the one we expected involving the tightrope-walking Gabriel Martinelli.
Instead, former Liverpool man Takumi Minamino is on for Monaco in place of Soungoutou Magassa, who had a clumsy first half.
Remarkably, Martinelli remains on.
First half facts and figures
Arsenal go in ahead at the break, having won 20 of their last 23 Champions League games when leading at HT (D2 L1).
Their one defeat during that run came against Bayern Munich in March 2017.
Half-time - Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
The half-time whistle brings the first 45 minutes to a close at the Emirates with Arsenal in the lead - and in control.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
45. Oh my, Martinelli commits another foul, and lays face down on the turf, unable to make eye contact with the referee.
Once again, the Brazilian is given the benefit of the doubt, but I'll be amazed if we see him reappear for the second half.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
44. What is Gabriel Martinelli doing?!
The Brazilian is the only player on a yellow card, and for some inexplicable reason has just raced 25 yards to trip up Lamine Camara from behind.
The Monaco fans are asking the question. The Monaco players are asking the question. But referee Davide Massa decides against produces a second yellow card.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
42. Okay, perhaps Darren Fletcher was on to something when he questioned Monaco's defending.
The French outfit have gone to pieces since conceding the opener, and are only just about hanging on in the game.
Half-time can't come soon enough now.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
40. Oh, it should be two!!
Magassa gives the ball away horribly in his own half, allowing Odegaard to race clear on goal.
With acres of space and just Majecki to beat, the captain cooly rolls his shot beyond the goalkeeper...
...and the far post.
