Saka keeps Gunners on fast track for last 16

BUKAYO SHOWS WAY WITH DOUBLE

- John Cross

THIS is rapidly turning into Bukayo Saka’s most important season for Arsenal.

Two more goals for Arsenal’s No.7 saw off Monaco and pushed Mikel Arteta’s men towards a top-eight finish in the Champions League.

While all the talk has been about Arsenal’s injury list, the one player who they really would be lost without is Saka – and this time they did not even need a set piece.

It was a night when Arsenal missed chance after chance, they were sloppy at times and their final ball was so often misplaced.

But when you are looking for ruthlessness then Saka is Arsenal’s guarantee.

Martin Odegaard was a huge miss during his injury absence and they have had a patched-up defence for much of the season. But Saka is just so reliable. Not only did he get two goals but it was his shot, deflected in off a combination of Kai Havertz and Monaco captain Thilo Kehrer, that really put a shine on the scoreline.