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Arsenal hope to move one step closer to the Champions League knockout rounds as they host Monaco in the sixth round of fixtures during the new league phase.
Following a narrow 1-0 loss to Inter Milan, the Gunners responded with a 5-1 mauling of Sporting in their most recent European outing and can regain their position inside the top eight if they triumph this evening. Mikel Arteta’s men were held to a 1-1 draw against Fulham at the weekend with captain Martin Odegaard calling for “more aggression” in the final third and Arsenal seek to rediscover their form in front of goal.
Meanwhile, Monaco have also excelled during this European campaign and sit one place below Arteta’s side due to goal difference. A 3-2 defeat against Benfica halted their momentum but they will be confident of taking a positive result away from the Emirates Stadium.
Follow all of the Champions League action in our live blog below:
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco, 41 minutes
The offiside flag is up as Gabriel Martinelli curls beyond the far stick as Arsenal again part Monaco’s defence a little too easily. I’m not sure Martinelli was offside on the replay – and the hosts could really be out of sight by now.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 December 2024 20:43
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco, 40 minutes
It should be 2-0! Dreadful play from Soungoutou Magassa, a blind ball never with a hope of getting to Thilo Kehrer given the intervening presence of Martin Odegaard. Having skipped past the German defender, Odegaard bears down on goal and drags his effort past both goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki and the post.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 December 2024 20:41
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco, 38 minutes
Another glimpse for Arsenal, Gabriel Martinelli gathering and taking aim in one movement. A few feet wide with the snapshot.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 December 2024 20:39
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco, 36 minutes
Akliouche is left alone by Lewis-Skelly and lifts a cross-cum-shot towards the far corner. David Raya and his defenders watch it go.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 December 2024 20:38
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco, 36 minutes
That really was tidy stuff from the 18-year-old left-back, under duress from Maghnes Akliouche but pivoting away from him with aplomb.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 December 2024 20:37
GOAL! ARSENAL 1-0 Monaco (Bukayo Saka, 34 minutes)
Fine work from Myles Lewis-Skelly and Bukayo Saka taps home the opener!
A delightful passing move. Lewis-Skelly is at the heart of it, taking Martin Odegaard’s switch and evading a would-be tackler. He slots in Gabriel Jesus, who measures his low cross pperfectly to allow Saka to provide the finishing touches.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 December 2024 20:35
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco, 32 minutes
Gabriel Martinelli grabs a fox-trotting Aleksandr Golovin by the wrist and spins him across the dancefloor, earning himself a yellow card. The Brazilian accepts it without complaint.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 December 2024 20:33
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco, 30 minutes
Those two big chances do mean that Gabriel Jesus’s lean scoring run continues – for now, at least. It’s been a curious period for the forward but there are some signs of sharpness tonight.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 December 2024 20:32
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco, 28 minutes
Another outstanding stop! There’s no fault on the part of Gabriel Jesus here, latching on to a firm Gabriel Martinelli pass and holding off Thilo Kehrer. Kehrer gets a deflecting foot in which makes the savve all the tougher for Radoslaw Majecki, but the Monaco goalkeeper’s akimbo limbs do the job.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 December 2024 20:30
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco, 26 minutes
Huge chance! A superb save from Radoslaw Majecki but Gabriel Jesus has to be scoring, the Brazilian sprung by a straight, long pass that the goalkeeper for some reason doesn’t come to collect. Jesus hits the bouncing ball low on the volley and Majecki thrusts out a blocking right leg to deny him.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 December 2024 20:27