Arsenal continued their remarkable start to the season with a convincing 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague in the Champions League, extending their winning streak to 10 matches in all competitions.
Mikel Merino starred for the Gunners, scoring twice as Arsenal also recorded their eighth consecutive clean sheet, matching a club record set in 1903. Merino started upfront in place of the injured Viktor Gyokeres and showcased his versatility, just as he did last season when deputising for Kai Havertz.
Arsenal’s opening goal came in the 32nd minute after VAR penalised Lukas Provod for handball. Captain Bukayo Saka calmly converted the resulting penalty into the bottom corner.
The Gunners doubled their lead immediately after halftime when Merino volleyed Leandro Trossard’s cross into the net. He completed his brace in the 68th minute, rising to meet a Declan Rice cross that Slavia Prague goalkeeper Jakub Markovic failed to collect.
The night also saw history off the scoresheet: 15-year-old Max Dowman became the youngest player to feature in the Champions League, replacing Trossard and breaking Youssoufa Moukoko’s previous record of 16 years and 18 days.
Slavia Prague were denied a late penalty after VAR overturned a challenge by Ben White on Provod.
The victory reinforces Arsenal’s dominance this season, with four wins from four matches in the Champions League and a 13-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
