Merino Double Lifts Arsenal to Dominant Win in Prague

International football

07/06/1906

Arsenal March On with Another European Win

Mikel Merino struck twice as Arsenal cruised past Slavia Prague 3-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday night. The win extended the Gunners’ perfect record in the competition and matched a 122-year club record for consecutive clean sheets.
With Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli sidelined, Merino started up front and impressed again as Mikel Arteta’s side claimed a tenth straight victory in all competitions.

Saka Breaks Deadlock After VAR Intervention

Slavia began brightly in front of a raucous home crowd, forcing Arsenal into some early defensive work. Lukas Provod fired wide from close range as the hosts pressed high.
Arsenal gradually found their rhythm, and Bukayo Saka’s persistence paid off just past the half-hour mark. A VAR check confirmed handball against Provod after Gabriel’s header struck his arm during a corner. Saka stepped up and calmly fired the penalty into the bottom corner for his fourth consecutive Champions League away goal.
It was Arsenal’s earliest penalty goal in the competition since Mikel Arteta scored against Anderlecht in 2014. The Gunners ended the half in control, with Leandro Trossard and Saka both forcing fine saves from Jakub Markovic.

Merino Delivers After the Break

Whatever Arteta said at halftime worked instantly. Just 36 seconds after the restart, Trossard whipped in a low cross that found Merino unmarked inside the box. The Spaniard made no mistake, guiding his finish into the far corner to double Arsenal’s lead.
Merino’s second came in the 68th minute after Declan Rice’s floated cross caused confusion in the Slavia box. Markovic misjudged the flight of the ball, allowing Merino to nod home for 3-0 and seal the result.
The brace took Merino’s tally to three goals this season and showed his importance as a versatile attacking option for Arsenal.

Record-Breaking Night for Dowman

There was more history late in the game when Max Dowman replaced Trossard to become the youngest player in Champions League history at 15 years and 308 days. The teenager looked composed in his brief cameo, winning a free-kick and drawing applause from the away fans.
Slavia thought they had a late lifeline when Provod went down under a Ben White challenge, but VAR overturned the penalty after replays showed the Slavia captain had handled in the buildup.

Key Moments and Standout Players

Merino’s intelligent movement and composure in front of goal stood out on a night when Arsenal’s depth once again proved decisive. Declan Rice controlled midfield, while Saka’s creativity and leadership were vital.
Arsenal registered 14 shots to Slavia’s nine, recording an expected goals value of 1.98 to the hosts’ 0.64. The clean sheet stretched their run to eight consecutive matches without conceding, equaling a club record set in 1903.

What’s Next

Arsenal return to Premier League action on Saturday, 8 November, with a trip to Sunderland before hosting bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby on November 23rd. They face Bayern Munich in their next Champions League fixture on November 26th. Slavia Prague, meanwhile, visit Athletic Club on November 25th as they seek their first win to revive their European hopes.

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