Bukayo Saka scored twice to send Arsenal to a 3-0 win over Monaco in the Champions League at the Emirates Stadium.
The England international opened the scoring in the 34th minute with impressive Champions League debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly involved in the build-up.
Saka then pounced on a desperate backpass to double the home side’s advantage with 12 minutes left before substitute Kai Havertz added a third in the closing stages.
Arsenal wasted a series of chances in the opening period, and, at times, rode their luck in the second half, but the victory enhanced their hopes of progression to the knockout stages after they ended the night third in the 36-team league.
The top eight automatically progress to the next phase.
Gabriel Jesus has not scored in the Premier League or Champions League for almost an entire calendar year.
And with just one strike in his previous 31 appearances – a goal against Preston in the Carabao Cup in October – his alarming form prompted Mikel Arteta to deny on Tuesday that he would be sold when the window opens next month.
However, Arteta may reconsider his decision after Jesus missed three golden chances within the first half-hour of the match.
The first arrived after just four minutes, but Jesus’ right-footed effort was tame and straight at Monaco goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki.
A long ball over the top of the Monaco backline then allowed Jesus to charge down on Majecki.
The Pole, perhaps surprisingly, elected to stay on his line, presenting Arsenal’s number nine with a glorious chance, but one he squandered.
His strike was not convincing enough and Majecki made the save with an outstretched right boot.
A minute later, Gabriel Martinelli was quick to put Jesus through on goal.
Another brilliant opportunity emerged, but Thilo Kehrer chased Jesus closely, smothering the striker’s rushed effort.
Three shots on target. No goals. One wondered whether it might be one of those nights for the hosts. It certainly would be for Jesus.
Lewis-Skelly
Prior to Wednesday’s fixture, the 18-year-old academy product had made just two appearances for Arsenal – both in the Carabao Cup.
Due to injuries, Arsenal’s defense gave Lewis-Skelly a chance over Kieran Tierney, and he repaid Arteta’s faith.
Lewis-Skelly demonstrated confidence throughout the opening half, reclaiming possession and delivering a stunning pass to Jesus on the left.
Although Jesus struggled to score, his brilliant assist across the six-yard box left no complaints from the fans.
Special moments
Lewis-Skelly was rightly mobbed by his team-mates, and the hosts might have doubled their advantage moments later.
A misplaced pass from Soungoutou Magassa put Martin Odegaard through on goal, but the skipper screwed his shot wide.
Moments after the restart, Kehrer headed a free-kick wide of David Raya’s post to hand Arsenal a reminder that the fixture was far from settled.
Monaco, who are third in Ligue 1, continued to dominate the opening exchanges of the second period.
Substitute Takumi Minamino forced Raya into action before Breel Embolo’s swivel-and-shot grazed Raya’s side-netting.
Arsenal were living dangerously and the home fans knew it. Jesus’ night came to an end with 18 minutes left as Havertz took his place.
The German’s arrival marked Arsenal’s regained control, and he played a key role in securing the decisive goal.
Mohammed Salisu’s lackadaisical backpass forced unnecessary pressure on Majecki.
Havertz was all over the Pole, and the keeper’s rushed toepoke fell to Saka, who made no mistake.
Saka then turned provider after 88 minutes with Havertz beating Kehrer at the near post to complete a fine night for Arteta’s men.