Monaco boss admits his team were “lucky” despite 3-0 Arsenal defeat | OneFootball

Monaco boss Adi Hutter didn’t hide from the fact that Arsenal deserved their 3-0 win on Wednesday, admitting that they were fortunate the Gunners didn’t score more.

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Arsenal secured a relatively comfortable victory over AS Monaco in the Champions League in midweek, dominating the first half and ultimately coming out 3-0 winners.

Despite creating a lot of great opportunities, Arsenal only scored once in the opening 45 minutes, and that led to a slightly nervy period as Monaco came out stronger for the first 15 minutes after the break.

But after a few substitutions and a Monaco error at the back for 2-0, the game was never really in doubt.

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Speaking afterwards, Monaco boss Adi Hutter admitted Arsenal didn’t really need the gift of a second goal, as the Gunners made more than enough chances of their own to win the match.

“I have to admit that Arsenal deserved this victory, because they were the better team on the pitch,” Hutter said. “We clearly gave them the second goal, which they didn’t need.

“At this level, it is not possible, not acceptable to make such mistakes that can be seen as downright gifts. And yet we were lucky that Arsenal missed a lot of opportunities.

“In the end, I repeat, the Gunners deserved their victory.”

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Monaco are still in a very strong position with regards to progression to the knockout stages, with their current total of 10 points likely to see them through. Any further points in their final games against Aston Villa and Inter Milan would guarantee it.

Yet a top-eight finish is now an unlikely outcome for the side, so Hutter will be disappointed at his team’s two consecutive defeats following 10 points from their first four matches.