Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
Bukayo Saka once again proved the catalyst for Arsenal as his double helped secure a relatively smooth 3-0 home victory against AS Monaco that put the Londoners in sight of the Champions League knockout stage on Wednesday.
Mikel Arteta's side began the fixture outside the top eight in the expanded league stage and with plenty of work to do to avoid being dragged into the playoffs.
It was not all plain sailing for the hosts who were guilty of some profligate finishing, but England forward Saka took his season tally to nine goals in all competitions as Arsenal moved into third place in the table.
Arsenal, who have Dinamo Zagreb and Girona still to play, have 13 points, while Monaco, who began the evening level with them, are 16th with 10 points.
Saka swept in a Gabriel Jesus cross in the 34th minute, and just when it looked as though a succession of misses by his teammates could prove costly, Monaco presented him with a gift-wrapped second in the 78th minute.
Substitute Kai Havertz rubber-stamped Arsenal's fourth win from six games in this year's competition in the 88th minute.
"In the first half we should have put the game to bed, but we didn't," Arteta said. "In the Champions League you will have difficult moments and we suffered.
"Then with the second goal the game was in control."
With defensive injuries forcing his hand, Arteta gave a first Champions League start to 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly and the left back played a key role in Saka's opener.