Arsenal extended their perfect Champions League run with a commanding 3–0
victory over Slavia Prague on Tuesday night, thanks to two second-half
goals from Mikel Merino and a first-half penalty from Bukayo Saka.
The win marked Arsenal’s fourth consecutive triumph
in the competition and their 10th straight victory across all competitions,
maintaining an eighth consecutive clean sheet in the process. The
Gunners have now scored 11 goals and conceded none in the Champions
League this season.
“Three goals, another clean sheet, four wins out of
four,” the UEFA Champions League posted on X, celebrating the Gunners’ flawless
run.
Saka Breaks the Deadlock
Arsenal took the lead in the 32nd minute when
captain Bukayo Saka calmly converted from the penalty spot after Slavia
captain Lukas Provod handled the ball while defending a corner.
Saka continued to threaten throughout the match,
forcing several saves from Slavia goalkeeper Jakub Markovic and leading
by example in attack.
Merino at the Double
Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino, one of four
changes made by coach Mikel Arteta from Saturday’s 2–0 Premier League
win over Burnley, doubled Arsenal’s lead just 30 seconds into the second
half.
He latched onto Leandro Trossard’s perfectly
weighted pass and volleyed in at the near post.
Merino sealed the result in the 68th minute,
heading home from Declan Rice’s cross to make it 3–0 and cap off a
dominant performance.
Dowman Makes Champions League History
The night also saw a historic moment as 15-year-old
Max Dowman became the youngest-ever player to feature in a Champions
League match, coming on in the 73rd minute.
Defensive Masterclass
Despite Slavia’s early efforts, Arsenal’s back
line—anchored by Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba—remained
unbreakable, limiting the Czech champions to no shots on target
throughout the game.
Even with key attackers Viktor Gyökeres, Kai
Havertz, and Gabriel Martinelli sidelined by injury, the Gunners
dominated possession and dictated the tempo from start to finish.
Group Outlook
The victory leaves Arsenal comfortably top of their
group with maximum points after four games. Meanwhile, Slavia Prague, who
lead the Czech First League, remain on two points and face an uphill
battle to qualify for the knockout stages.
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