Arsenal ratings: Lewis-Skelly gets standing ovation after Champions League debut but Merino looks heavy and slow

BUKAYO SAKA scored twice as Arsenal saw off Monaco 3-0 in the Champions League.

The Gunners missed several huge chances to wrap the game up in the first-half, with Gabriel Jesus leaving his shooting boots at home.

Saka almost got his hat-trick, but a nick from Kai Havertz saw the German credited with the Gunners’ third, to wrap up a vital three points to strengthen Arsenal’s grip on a top eight finish.

Here is how SunSport rated the players’ performances.

DAVID RAYA – 7/10

Rarely troubled throughout the game, but did what he had to do.

Commanding in the box, and pretty good distribution-wise, with only a few mistakes on that front.

THOMAS PARTEY – 6

A mixed bag from Partey tonight, with a few nice passes creating dangerous attacks, and a few going wildly astray.

Wasn’t caused an awful lot of trouble by Monaco’s left side.

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WILLIAM SALIBA – 7

Solid at the back as per usual. Always gives you a seven out of ten.

JAKUB KIWIOR – 7

A capable deputy in Gabriel’s absence, sharp on the ball and dependable off of it. Equally as good as Saliba next to him.

MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 9

Playing as a left-back, Lewis-Skelly became the latest Hale End academy graduate to make his full Champions League debut vs Monaco.

And what a debut it was! A sensational bit of play to beat Monaco’s press allowed him to slot an inch-perfect ball into Jesus who set up Saka for Arsenal‘s opener.

Given a standing ovation by the home support when he left the pitch after 64 minutes.

DECLAN RICE – 7

Broke up play nicely as he always does, often sliding in to shut down Monaco attacks.

Not as threatening as we have seen him be previously going forward, but that wasn’t his job this evening with Merino alongside him.

A very, very good Premier League or Champions League number six.

MIKEL MERINO – 4

I wasn’t moved.

Arsenal fans might be left slightly disappointed by the Odegaard – Merino – Rice midfield they were giggling and kicking their feet about, with the Spaniard not offering much in midfield.

Looked heavy and slow, and got booked.

MARTIN ODEGAARD – 5

Not his usual elegant self in midfield for Arsenal.

Unfortunately let down by his end product tonight, as he missed two huge chances to double their lead either side of half-time.

GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 4

A threat down the left side in the first half, he should’ve had an assist were it not for Arsenal’s number nine.

While he showed some bright sparks, his end product in general was not good enough.

BUKAYO SAKA – 8

In the right place at the right time as he so often is to open the scoring after a great ball across the box by Jesus.

Reacted quickly to a goalkeeper mistake and finished into the far corner for what was his seventh home Champions League goal in seven home Champions League games – clinical.

Added an assist to his tally too, as his shot was turned in by Kai Havertz at the death.

GABRIEL JESUS – 5

Could’ve had a first-half brace, but for his lack of composure, as he missed TWO huge 1v1 chances early on in the tie.

What he lacked in finishing however, he made up for with a quality assist to set up Saka for the opening goal.

SUBS:

LEANDRO TROSSARD (GABRIEL MARTINELLI, 64) – 5

Much the same story as the man whom he replaced.

Plenty of the ball in dangerous areas, but didn’t manage to do anything with it.

JORGINHO (DECLAN RICE, 64) – 6

A calming presence in the Arsenal midfield, helped to settle the ball when he got on it.

Almost got an assist for Nwaneri in added time.

JURRIEN TIMBER (MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY, 64) – 6

Replaced the best player on the pitch and Arsenal’s level didn’t drop much.

Not quite as good at progressing the ball as the Hale End graduate tonight.

KAI HAVERTZ (GABRIEL JESUS, 73) – 8

Put the goalkeeper under plenty of pressure to force the mistake for Saka’s second.

Got the faintest of nicks for the Gunners’ third.

ETHAN NWANERI (MARTIN ODEGAARD, 79) – 5

Another good few minutes in the tank for the Arsenal starlet with a very bright future.

Some good touches to get the home fans excited.