Arsenal have maintained their 100 per cent record in the Champions League and Mikel Arteta's genius decision proves they'll be alright without Viktor Gyokeres
19:45, 04 Nov 2025
Mikel Merino of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between SK Slavia Praha and Arsenal FC at Eden Arena on November 04, 2025 in Prague, Czech Republic.
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Mikel Merino was the man of the moments
The general conscious at the end of last season, after Arsenal once again found themselves playing the role of bridesmaids, was that Mikel Arteta needed a striker.
And so Arteta dipped his toes into the transfer market and signed Viktor Gyokeres - who had been the talk of Europe thanks to his goals at Sporting CP.
Gyokeres hasn't exactly hit the ground running at the Emirates - but he's provided an outlet they didn't have last season. The Swede's injury over the weekend was a blow, but Arsenal should be alright.
Arteta decided to deploy Mikel Merino, a midfielder by trade, as a makeshift striker against Slavia Prague on Tuesday evening.
And it proved to be an inspired decision, with the Spanish star netting twice during an evening that was almost a walk in the park for the Gunners.
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between SK Slavia Praha and Arsenal FC at Eden Arena on November 04, 2025 in Prague, Czech Republic.
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Arsenal ran out 3-0 winners against Slavia Prague
"I think they have a few unsung heroes as well in Trossard, Merino - he’s basically as good as a striker," Owen Hargreaves said on TNT Sports ahead of the clash.
While Arteta also heaped praise on Merino: "He has been very prolific, scored a lot of goals a for us especially at the back end of last season.
"And we’ll have to find solutions with the front players we’re missing at the moment.
Head coach Mikel Arteta of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between SK Slavia Praha and Arsenal FC at Eden Arena on November 4, 2025 in Prague, Czech Republic.
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Mikel Arteta made a genius decision(Image: Getty Images)
However Martin Keown wasn't as convinced, but he was made to his eat his words. Bukayo Saka netted Arsenal's first of the evening, rolling the ball past Jakub Markovič in the Slavia net.
Merino would get his first just after the restart, and his second in the 68th (for Arsenal's third and their final goal of the game).
Keown admitted: "Clinical play from Arsenal. Merino, this man... we talked before the game, I did him a disservice and said he only scored 7 last year, it was more than that.
Lukas Provod of Slavia Praha handles the ball in the area which was then awarded a penalty for arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between SK Slavia Praha and Arsenal FC at Eden Arena on November 04, 2025 in Prague, Czech Republic
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Arsenal took the lead from the spot
"Lovely ball in - Trossard, don't underestimate him - and a lovely finish.
"Makeshift striker - you don't want to have to use him but he's that tool in the box that can come in and fill the gap for Arsenal."
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The Gunners have maintained their 100 per cent record in the Champions League - and, despite a late penalty scare, they are yet to drop any points.
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It's Sunderland away next for the Gunners, before a crunch north London derby.