Arsenal moved closer to the knockout stage with a strong 3-0 triumph against AS Monaco at the Emirates Stadium. With two goals the 34th and 78th minutes, Bukayo Saka was the match’s standout showing his elegance and finishing power. In the 88th minute Kai Havertz rounded off the show with a late goal. Arsenal dominated possession and generated more opportunities; their 16 shots at completion—of which 8 were on target—marked a difference from Monaco’s 2. Arsenal’s position as they seek the last 16 is strengthened by the victory.

Saka denied a first Arsenal hat trick by his own teammate in Champions League win

 Bukayo Saka led Arsenal to victory in the Champions League on Wednesday but was left with some regrets after being denied his first hat trick for his boyhood club by one of his teammates.

The England winger had already scored twice against Monaco at Emirates Stadium when he sent a shot toward goal in the 88th minute. The shot might have been saved by the goalkeeper, but it deflected rather unwittingly off the shin of Kai Havertz and into the net to seal a 3-0 win for Arsenal.

Still, with three goal contributions, Saka was again decisive for Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta said the 23-year-old right winger was on his way to reaching a world-class level.

Amid injury problems in defense, 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly was handed a Champions League debut and played at left back, where he has featured a number of times as a substitute in the Premier League this season.

The highly rated Lewis-Skelly said he was taking inspiration from Saka, who also came out of the Arsenal academy as a teenager.

Arsenal climbed to third place in the 36-team standings with the win.

(AP)