Arsenal, Atletico clinch Champions League wins in Matchday 6

Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 victory over AS Monaco in Matchday 6 of the Champions League on Thursday (AEDT) at the Emirates Stadium.

In control from the outset, the Gunners found their breakthrough in the 34th minute when England international Bukayo Saka connected with Gabriel Jesus’ cross to score from close range.

Although tense moments followed after Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli failed to convert clear chances, Mikel Arteta’s side finally got some breathing room when Saka doubled his account midway through the second half.

German forward Kai Havertz capped off a perfect evening for Arsenal two minutes from stoppage time as the hosts climbed to third on the Champions League table with 13 points.

Comfortably in the top eight, the English Premier League heavyweights could book their place in the last 16 in their remaining encounters against Dinamo Zagreb and Girona.

Speaking after the game, Arsenal manager Arteta was more than happy with the performance.

“Very happy with scoring three goals and keeping the clean sheet in the game — extremely happy,” the Spaniard said.

“We started the game very well in the first half. It should have been three or four at least and then we could have put the game to bed.

“We didn’t and in the Champions League, you have difficult moments.”

Arsenal will be in EPL action against Everton on Sunday, with top soccer bookmakers installing the Gunners as $1.27 favourites to beat the Toffees ($12) at home.

Griezmann nets brace as Atletico beat Slovan Bratislava 3-1

Antoine Griezmann scored twice as Atletico Madrid beat Slovan Bratislava 3-1 in their midweek Champions League encounter in Spain.

As Manchester City continue to struggle for goals, Julian Alvarez — whom the Citizens sold last summer — put Atleti in front in the 16th minute with his fourth Champions League strike of the campaign.

Although Griezmann nodded in their second goal three minutes before the break, the Slovakian champions pulled one back from 12 yards through forward David Strelec in the 51st minute.

Nevertheless, Griezmann put the result beyond doubt six minutes later as Atletico clawed their way to 11th on the ladder following a third successive UCL win.

Despite edging closer to securing an automatic spot in the last 16, Atletico manager Diego Simeone remained cautious ahead of his side’s games against Bayer Leverkusen and RB Salzburg.

“There are two games left, and they are very good teams,” Simeone said.

“We face Leverkusen, one of the best in the competition, and we will see how far we can go.

“We will give our maximum and see what the sum of our points brings us.”

Atletico will face Getafe this Monday in La Liga, and top sports betting sites are paying $1.42 for the Madrid outfit to defeat their local rivals ($10).

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