Arsenal 3-0 Monaco LIVE RESULT: Bukayo Saka on the double as Gunners sail into third in Champions League table
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 the goal was later ruled as a Thilo Kehrer own goal with the defender having the final touch.
- 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 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.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
38. Arsenal are ramping up the pressure ahead of half-time.
Martinelli seizes upon a loose ball inside the area, but fails to hit the target.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
36. Monaco go looking for an immediate response.
A dangerous cross lofted into the area causes momentary alarm, but Embolo fails to get a telling touch with his attempted header.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco
34. Bukayo Saka taps in and Arsenal lead at the Emirates!
It's a simple finish from the Gunners' star boy, but one that owes so much to intelligent play from both Myles Lewis-Skelly and Gabriel Jesus.
The young left-back engineers the attack by playing the Brazilian striker into space, and he responds by sending a brilliant low ball across the face of goal.
Saka couldn't miss! He didn't miss! And Arsenal have lift-off on Matchday Six!
Breakthrough!
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco
31. The first yellow card of the night is shown to Gabriel Martinelli.
It's issued for a cynical shirt pull on Golovin, who was racing through the middle of the pitch.
A deserved booking.
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco
29. The TNT duo of Fletcher and McCoist on commentary suggest that Monaco may be better going forward than when it comes to defending - words, you feel, they may yet come to regret.
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco
27. Jesus is in again! He's denied again!
It's great football all around, first from Jesus, who takes a beautiful first touch to take himself away from his nearest defender and create space to exploit.
Not to be beaten, however, Monaco captain Kehrer races back and gets an important touch on the striker's shot, and that's enough to help Majecki make another fine save down low at the near post.
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco
25. Jesus through on goal! He must score! Brilliant save by Majecki!
The Gunners go route one and a long raking pass from Lewis-Skelly sends his striker one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
As Jesus chests down, Monaco stopper Majecki retreats to his goalline, but comes up trumps a split-second later by sticking out a long leg to brilliantly block the subsequent shot.
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco
23. Odegaard goes for the left-footed curler again, this time from much closer and inside the box.
The same issue persists, but there's enough in the effort to have Majecki scampering across his line and the Arsenal fans on their feet.
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco
21. Arsenal retreat into a low block as Monaco knock the ball around nicely in the final third.
Eventually, Declan Rice steps in to win back possession.
An intriguing opening quarter to the contest.
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco
19. Lovely football from Saka and Odegaard opens up space for the latter just off the right flank.
The captain eyes up the top corner with a left-footer from the edge of the box, but can't get enough curl on the ball to trouble Majecki.
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco
16. Thomas Partey makes a mess of a throw-in to literally hand possession to Monaco.
"Is that a set-piece that went wrong?" ponders commentator Darren Fletcher.
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco
14. Monaco double up on Saka as he takes up possession on the right flank, and the French club will hope that two of their players are equal to one Antonee Robinson.
It does the job here with Saka forced out of play for an away throw.
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco
12. The home fans, sensing this might not be the straightforward encounter they were expecting, turn up the volume.
How will the Arsenal players respond?
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco
10. Ten minutes on the clock and the visitors have settled well, edging the possession to control 52% of the ball.
However, the Gunners still look sharp and slick on the move, right up until they are required to supply a finishing touch.
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco
8. The first attempt of the game from Monaco is not too far away from finding the bottom corner.
Kiwior initially looks as though he's mopped up a dangerous attack inside his own area, but the Polish defender is caught napping.
It presents the opportunity for Golovin to dig a shot out from 20 yards on his right foot that thuds into the advertising hoardings behind the goal.