Mikel Merino once again showed his improvised attacking skills in place of the injured Viktor Gjokeres as his double sent Arsenal top of the Champions League with a 3-0 win over Slavia Prague.
Gjokeres’ injury worried Mikel Arteta, but his woes were eased by the Spaniard who struck twice in the second half – on a night when Arsenal also made the defensive history books.
The eighth consecutive clean sheet equaled the club record for consecutive shutouts set in 1903/04, while this Arsenal side became the first English side to win their first four games in the competition without conceding since Leeds United in the 1969/70 European Cup.
Those records were threatened in the early stages amid a tumultuous atmosphere. Arsenal were sloppy in possession as the hosts dominated the opening 20 minutes, with Lucas Provod firing his best chance wide from a good area.
But Arsenal slowed the momentum and got into the game. Bukayo Saka was denied three times by goalkeeper Jakub Markovic – before eventually getting his chance – and it followed through for a corner.
Bukayo Saka fired Arsenal ahead from the penalty spot
Saka’s delivery was aimed at Gabriel but hit Provod in the arm and VAR helped award a penalty by sending the referee to the monitor. The Arsenal winger took the spot kick with ease.
From that moment on, Arsenal knew they were going to win. They got their second 36 seconds into the half as Leandro Trossard’s cross found Merino completely unmarked and he had a simple goal.
Merino was in the game again when Markovic came on and failed to catch Declan Rice’s ball into the box, the Spaniard getting there first to nod home.
Arsenal were home and dry and even brought in Max Daumann, who became the youngest ever Champions League player at 15 years and 308 days – with 17-year-old striker Andrea Harriman-Anus also making his European debut for the club.
Slavia thought they were going to get a shot on goal, let alone on goal, when Ben White’s challenge led to a penalty – but replays showed that Provod, who was having a difficult night, made it just before the challenge.
In a week where Arsenal’s injury problems caused concern, their depth and defensive numbers stepped up to help them once again. They are top of the Premier League and now the Champions League.
Arteta: Merino is a joy to have
Arsenal the manager Mikel Arteta:
“It’s nice to have him (Merino). It’s his versatility on the field, the things he can do. It’s his mindset, his leadership and the way he is as a person.
“Mikel hasn’t played there (as a forward) in his career, but we had a good experience last season with the way he reacted and performed. We believe today, the way they were set up, it was a good chance for him to perform.”
“He always has good timing and is able to finish the ball especially with one touch. And then it’s about talking to him and making sure he plays closer to the goal.”
“He identifies opportunities, timing and how to attack space versus how to defend.”
Analysis: Arsenal’s defense looks unbreakable at the moment
Sam Blic from Ski Sports in Prague:
First, you have to go through the press. Arsenal’s front foot play makes it impossible for opponents to play from the back.
Then you have to go through the low block. Arsenal are up there with the Premier League’s best teams for distance covered – while moving from that pressure into a low block that misses nothing.
If you’re lucky enough to pass, then there are key duel winners in William Saliba, Gabriel and Jurien Timber. Declan Rice also plays in front of them.
And if you then get hit – which the six teams managed just three times between them in the space of a month – then you still have to beat David Raya.
Looking at that formula, it’s no surprise that Arsenal managed to get eight clean sheets in a row. It took Erling Haaland to pull this team out of an open game.