Arsenal continued their exceptional run in the 2025-26 Champions League with a commanding 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague, making it 10 wins in as many matches. The Gunners extended their record-breaking streak, with Mikel Merino grabbing a second-half brace and Bukayo Saka scoring from the penalty spot.
The match started with Slavia Prague pressing hard, hoping to capitalize on Arsenal’s minor vulnerabilities. Tomas Chory, Slavia’s towering striker, tested the Arsenal defense, but the visitors held firm. However, in the 26th minute, Arsenal were awarded a penalty after a handball from Lukas Provod, allowing Saka to calmly dispatch the ball past goalkeeper Jakub Markovic and give Arsenal the lead.
Despite some early pressure, Arsenal’s defense remained resolute, extending their clean sheet streak to eight consecutive games, a record they hadn’t matched since 1903. Slavia Prague had a controversial moment when they appealed for a penalty for handball by Piero Hincapié, but the referee waved it off.
In the second half, Arsenal swiftly doubled their lead within 40 seconds of the restart. Leandro Trossard found Merino with a well-timed cross, which the midfielder volleyed home with clinical precision. Merino then sealed his brace with a poacher’s header from Declan Rice’s cross, ensuring the result was never in doubt.
The victory also marked a special moment for 15-year-old Max Dowman, who became the youngest player in Champions League history to play for Arsenal after coming on in the final minutes. His confidence on the ball and assertiveness in his first touch were a testament to his talent.
With injuries to key players like Viktor Gyökeres, Arsenal’s depth continued to shine, as players like Christian Nørgaard and Ethan Nwaneri stepped up to fill the gaps. Mikel Arteta praised his squad’s mentality, stating that their focus on continuous improvement was the key to their ongoing success.
Despite the win, Arsenal’s mind was already on their next challenge, as they head into the international break before the highly anticipated North London derby against Tottenham.
