3 positives & 2 negatives from Arsenal's 3-0 win vs Monaco

A brace from Bukayo Saka and a late goal from substitute Kai Havertz kept Arsenal rolling in the UEFA Champions League at the expense of Monaco on Wednesday night. Saka is hitting his stride among the players who merit that coveted world-class label.

The seemingly unbreakable trajectory of Saka isn't the only positive for the Gunners from a stellar night's work. Manager Mikel Arteta felt comfortable enough rolling the dice on academy talent away from the intensity of the Premier League, so 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly got the nod at left-back and didn't disappoint.

Nor did Gabriel Jesus, who showed hints, mere hints, but exciting nonetheless, of the dynamic form he displayed during his first season in Arsenal colours. Jesus acquitted himself well as part of a starting lineup defined by rare starts, but not everybody was as impressive.

Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino both struggled to make the most of being named to the starting XI. Merino is still finding his feet since signing from Real Sociedad, but Martinelli has too much potential and natural talent to excuse his recent sluggish performances.

Here are the positives and negatives from Arsenal's generally routine win in European competition.

3 positives & 2 negatives from Arsenal's 3-0 win over Monaco

Positive #1: A Gabriel Jesus assist

You have to settle for mere crumbs of comfort along Gabriel Jesus' path to recovery. Two such crumbs were evident against Monaco.

First, Jesus got a welcome start at striker. He deserved the nod after Arteta left the Brazilian on the bench for too long during the disappointing 1-1 draw against Fulham. Even though it was obvious the Gunners needed a frontman with more of a physical presence and subtle movement than Havertz was delivering.

Unfortunately, the Jesus who entered the fray at Craven Cottage also offered neither of those things. Frankly, Arsenal's No. 9 wasn't at his most bullish against Wednesday's visitors from Ligue 1.

So why be encouraged? Because Jesus provided the assist for Saka's opener. The goal owed a lot to patient and intelligent movement along the front.

Jesus drifted out of the middle and into the inside left channel where he soon received a pass from the enterprising Skelly. One well-placed cross from Jesus allowed Saka to tap in for a 33rd-minute lead.

This was a contribution typical of the kind of dynamic all-rounder Jesus used to be and can be again. Here's hoping anyway.

Negative #1: Gabriel Martinelli's still out of sorts

Fresh from failing to get back onside for what should have been a priceless winning goal at Fulham, Martinelli trudged through an uninspiring 64 minutes against Monaco. A yellow card wasn't the only lowlight for a forward who continues to look out of sorts.

Martinelli's distribution was inaccurate, and he too often neglected to chance his pace in one-on-one situations. Taking a direct route to the final third has long been a strength of Martinelli's game, but the 23-year-old appears to have lost some of the swagger that initially made him look destined for a Saka-style rapid ascent to join the game's elite.

It's possible the Brazilian was still jaded by his costly error against Fulham that was close to deriliction of duty for a professional footballer. Even so, Martinelli possesses the skill and keen eye for goal to quickly consign any gaffe to the past, provided he's playing on the front foot.

Martinelli's ongoing struggle to hit the heights he's capable of is robbing Arsenal of the necessary supporting act Saka needs.

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