Mikel Merino once again showcased his makeshift attacking skills in place of the injured Viktor Gyokeres as his brace took Arsenal to the top of the Champions League via a 3-0 win over Slavia Prague.
Gyokeres’ injury worried Mikel Arteta, but his woes were eased by the Spaniard scoring twice in the second half – a night when Arsenal also entered the defensive history books.
An eighth consecutive clean sheet equals the club record for consecutive shutouts set in the 1903/04 season, while this Arsenal side became the first English side to win their opening four games in this competition without conceding a goal since Leeds United in the 1969/70 European Cup.
These records were threatened at the start in a turbulent atmosphere. Arsenal lacked possession as the hosts dominated the opening 20 minutes, with Lukas Provod firing home their best chance 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 finally getting his chance – and it came via a corner.
Saka’s delivery was aimed at Gabriel but hit Provod on the arm and VAR helped give a penalty by sending the referee to the monitor. The Arsenal winger sent his kick with ease.
From that moment on, Arsenal knew they were going to win. They got their second 36 seconds after halftime as Leandro Trossard’s cross found Merino completely unmarked and he produced a simple finish.
Merino was back when Markovic arrived and failed to catch Declan Rice’s ball in the box, with the Spaniard arriving first to nod home.
Arsenal were home and dry and even brought on Max Dowman, who became the youngest player in the Champions League at 15 years and 308 days – with 17-year-old striker Andre Harriman-Annous also making his European debut for the club.
Slavia thought they were going to have a shot on target, let alone a goal, when Ben White’s challenge resulted in a penalty – but replays showed that Provod, who had a difficult evening, had managed just before the challenge.
In a week where there were concerns about Arsenal’s injuries, their depth and defensive numbers stepped up to help them again. They are top of the Premier League and now the Champions League.
Arteta: A joy to have merino
Arsenal director Mikel Arteta:
“It’s a joy 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 didn’t play there [as a striker] in his career but we had a good experience last season with the way he reacted and played. We think today, the way they were organized, it was a good opportunity 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 goal.
“He identifies opportunities, timing and how he should attack spaces versus how they defend.”
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Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta praises teenager Max Dowman after he becomes youngest player in Champions League
Analysis: Arsenal’s defense looks unbreakable at the moment
Sam Blitz from Sky Sports in Prague:
You have to go through the press first. Arsenal’s front foot play prevents opponents from playing from the back.
Then you have to pass the low block. Arsenal are among the best teams in the Premier League for distance covered – as they move from that press to a low block that lets nothing through.
If you’re lucky enough to pass, then there are key duel winners, William Saliba, Gabriel and Jurrien Timber, to overtake. Declan Rice also plays in front of them.
And if you then get a shot – something six teams have only managed to do three times in the space of a month – then you still have to beat David Raya.
Looking at this formula, it’s no surprise that Arsenal have managed eight clean sheets in a row. It took Erling Haaland to overtake this team from open play.
History of the match in statistics
What’s next for Arsenal?
