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

Positive #2: Myles Lewis-Skelly's ahead of schedule

Lewis-Skelly had already caught the eye in the Champions League, but the teenager now looks ahead of schedule after a classy turn against Monaco. His most impressive work involved quick feet and neat distribution to tee up Jesus to cross for Saka and the opening goal.

The brief but brilliant snapshot of Lews-Skelly's skills offered an exciting glimpse of the player's future. So did how intelligently he took to the key inverted full-back role in Arteta's sometimes overly elaborate tactical setup.

The Daily Telegraph's Sam Dean outlined exactly how Lewis-Skelly made smart use of a roving brief.

Those things don't just reveal a keen understanding of how to use space. They also reveal Hale End academy graduate Lewis-Skelly is a natural technician able to shift the ball in artful and intelligent ways.

The cumulative effect of what Lewis-Skelly is already doing well can lead to an exciting near-future for the player. Not only can he solve what's been an underrated issue at left-back due to Riccardo Calafiori being in and out of the lineup with injuries, while Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney also battle to return to full fitness.

Lewis-Skelly can even play his way into an eventual central midfield role. Somebody capable of dictating more progressive possession from deeper areas.

That's significant because of the struggles of another player.

Negative #2: Mikel Merino's still not up to speed

Good fortune spared Merino's blushes more than once. He somehow managed to head a front-on cross behind him with the goal at this mercy to let Monaco off the hook, only for comical defending by the away team to soon gift Saka his second.

Merino found his radar and touch in the box lacking again when he swiped at and missed a low cross that fizzed all the way through to Saka. The latter's cross-shot hit Havertz, either by design or serendipity, to pad the scoreline.

Arsenal barely deserved to win by three clear goals, but any margin of victory owed little to Merino's efforts. He took up space but little else because he struggled to turn forward runs into meaningful contributions.

Merino must sharpen up as a finisher. He also needs to exhibit greater composure and utility on the ball.

Without those things, the $41.9m man will continue to look like one of the most questionable transfers of the many, many signings made on Arteta's watch.

Continued on the next slide...

Positive #3: Bukayo Saka going from strength to strength

There's simply no stopping Saka this season. He's performing like a player who's finally realised the full extent of his abilities.

Those talents had Monaco on the back foot from the off, with defenders visibly unnerved by his close control, incredible acceleration and coolness in front of goal. That final attribute played out via two simple and efficient finishes.

The goals, not to mention his assist for Havertz, took Saka to a quite incredible tally at this stage of the campaign.

As if 21 goal contributions in as many games wasn't enough, Saka has also elevated his Champions League output to new heights. Those heights involve the winger having "both scored and assisted in a single game more times than any other player in the Champions League since the start of last season," according to Football on TNT Sports.

Dominating in Europe's premier club competition is the ultimate benchmark for players who want to be considered among the best of their respective eras. Saka is putting together a compelling case for his place as one of the principal stars of his time.

That's great news for Arsenal, but bad news for the club's opponents. Long may their difficulties dealing with Saka continue.

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