Arsenal’s Mikel Merino once again showcased his goal-scoring prowess as he played a crucial role in helping his team secure a fourth consecutive Champions League win against Slavia Prague. This victory marked the eighth consecutive match in which Arsenal maintained a clean sheet, matching a record set 122 years ago in 1903. The game almost took a different turn when a decision to award a penalty to Slavia Prague was overturned after a VAR review.
Arsenal’s defensive solidity under Mikel Arteta was evident as they maintained their unbeaten streak since September 28th, with the opponents managing their only shot on target in the dying moments of the game. Despite facing injury setbacks and traveling without their senior center-forwards, Arsenal found a reliable replacement in Merino, who stepped up to the challenge following a previous tough performance against Burnley.
In a competitive match against Slavia Prague, Arsenal faced some early challenges but managed to capitalize on their opportunities. Bukayo Saka made significant contributions with five attempts on goal in the first half alone, eventually converting a penalty to open the scoring. Merino further solidified Arsenal’s lead with two well-taken goals early in the second half.
The impressive performance was capped off by Max Dowman, who set a record as the youngest-ever Champions League appearance maker at just 15 years and 308 days. With this win, Arsenal extended their winning streak to ten games across all competitions, showcasing their strong form and potential for even greater success in the future.