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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
David Hytner at the Emirates Stadium

Saka inspires Arsenal to beat Monaco and boost automatic qualification hopes

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka scores their first goal.
Bukayo Saka scores his and Arsenal’s first goal against Monaco on a night when he had a hand in all three. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

It would normally be over by now, the Champions League group stage done and dusted, and yet Arsenal know they must go again for two more ties; a test of their physicality, the depth of their reserves, as well as their resolve.

The idea is to attack the extra games in January and make sure they do not have to play two more in the playoff round in February; to zoom straight into the round of 16. It continues to look pretty good.

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