Arsenal beat Slavia Prague 3-0 on Tuesday in the Champions League, with Mikel Merino scoring twice in the second half. The victory marked the Gunners’ fourth straight Champions League win and their tenth consecutive triumph across all competitions.
The result also gave Arsenal an eighth consecutive clean sheet, confirming their dominance in Europe. They now top their Champions League group, with 11 goals scored and none conceded.
At just 15 years and 309 days, Max Dowman made history as the youngest player ever to appear in the Champions League when he came on in the 73rd minute.
Stand-in captain Bukayo Saka opened the scoring after 32 minutes, converting a penalty awarded when Slavia captain Lukas Provod handled the ball in the box.
Only 30 seconds into the second half, Merino made it 2-0. He volleyed home from close range after a clever pass from Leandro Trossard left him unmarked. On minute 68, Merino added his second goal with a precise header from a Declan Rice cross, beating Slavia goalkeeper Jakub Markovic.
Despite missing injured forwards Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal controlled the game. Their pressing and pace kept the Czech champions pinned back.
The first half saw Gabriel Magalhaes shoot wide, while Provod tried his luck at the other end. Arsenal’s defense remained solid, preventing Slavia from recording a single shot on target.
Saka tested Markovic three times in eight minutes during the opening half. The goalkeeper also denied him again on the hour mark, blocking a low shot from inside the box.
Slavia Prague, leaders of the Czech league, remain on two points from four Champions League matches after this defeat.
