Arsenal ease to win over Slavia Prague

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Slavia Prague 0 - 3 Arsenal

Mikel Merino struck twice as Arsenal eased past Slavia Prague, extending their winning streak to eight matches in all competitions.

Author | DJ

Stadium | Fortuna Arena

Champions League | Slavia Prague v Arsenal | Arsenal players celebrate

This was also an eighth consecutive clean sheet, equalling a club record that has stood since 1903 and spanned two separate seasons.

Closer analysis of what hardened

Merino led the line in place of the injured Viktor Gyokeres and, much like when he filled in for Kai Havertz last season, showcased his adaptability by providing both a focal point and a decisive impact.

Arsenal broke the deadlock on 32 minutes after VAR intervened to penalise Lukas Provod for handball when Gabriel flicked on a corner. Bukayo Saka made no mistake from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way with a confident finish into the bottom corner.

READ MORE | Champions League news and stories from this season

Though Mikel Arteta’s side were far from fluent before the interval and survived an early scare when Provod shot narrowly wide, they emerged sharper after the restart. Within seconds, Merino volleyed home Leandro Trossard’s cross to double the advantage.

The 28-year-old added his second midway through the half, rising highest to meet Declan Rice’s delivery as Slavia keeper Jakub Markovic failed to claim the cross.

Champions League | Slavia Prague v Arsenal | View from the stands

There was another landmark moment late on when 15-year-old Max Dowman became the youngest player in Champions League history, replacing Trossard to surpass Youssoufa Moukoko’s record set in 2020.

Slavia briefly thought they had a route back into the contest when Provod went down under a challenge from Ben White, but a VAR review overturned the penalty decision.

The result maintained Arsenal’s perfect start in Europe this season, with four wins from four in the Champions League and a 13-match unbeaten run across all competitions.

Merino steps up again to show value

With concern about the muscular injury that had left Gyokeres sidelined, Arsenal needed someone to step up to lead their attack - and it was Merino again who reminded supporters of his value.

The 29-year-old has dropped out of Arsenal's starting XI in the Premier League, but has still managed to deliver big moments for his team.

He scored the crucial equaliser to spark a vital comeback success at Newcastle, the last time the Gunners conceded a goal too. This time Merino sealed a confident and comfortable victory in Prague as a makeshift forward.

When asked to play that role last season in the absence of Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, he shone too, taking his season's tally to nine.

Vital goals came in wins over Real Madrid, Chelsea, Fulham and Leicester, and his double against Slavia Prague showed why Arteta appreciates him.

Merino is a very different type of forward to Gyokeres, who looks to run behind the defence whenever he can, while the Spaniard provides a good presence for the Arsenal attack and snaps up chances.

He is also part of the club's leadership group and the Gunners have never lost a game in which Merino has scored.

Location: U Slavie 1540/2a, 100 00 Praha 10-Vršovice, Czechia

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