Majestic Arsenal shatter records galore while making it four wins on the bounce in the Champions League, as Mikel Merino steps up to slot home, twice
Three Key Champions League Takeaways after Arsenal’s 3-0 win at Slavia Prague
Majestic Arsenal shatter records galore while making it four wins on the bounce in the Champions League, as Mikel Merino steps up to slot home, twice
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Life Lately…
1- No Gyokeres, no problem
While the news that the injured Viktor Gyokeres could be back after the international break, just in time for the North London derby, gave the Gunners a boost, the fact remained the club had no recognised striker for what could have been a tricky clash against Slavia Prague here in the capital of the Czech Republic.
Step forward Mikel Merino, once again starting as a makeshift striker, helping the team up front, slotting in perfectly, just when Arsenal required his services.
It was no Gyokeres, no problem for the Gunners as Merino’s double after the break eased the Gunners to victory in Prague, following Bukayo Saka’s first half penalty.
It was great to see Merino - who is an integral part of the club’s leadership group - showing such great determination to get to the ball ahead of keeper Markovic, to nod the ball into the net to make it 3-0 on 68 minutes, and game over.
No wonder the 29-year-old Spain international has now scored 19 goals for club and country during 2025, not to mention three goals and four assists already this term.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, said afterwards**:** “Emotionally I think we handled it very well. It shows the consistency we have, we dominated the defensive part of the game against a team that is very difficult to play against.
“Tonight we made four changes from the weekend and they all performed really well. Overall a really productive evening.”
2 - Record-breaking Gunners everywhere
So, Arsenal are top of the table after winning all four of their Champions League games this season, eleven goals scored, a big fat zero conceded.
In doing so they became the first English team to achieve that feat since Leeds United in the 1969-70 European Cup.
It was also an eighth successive clean sheet in all competitions - matching a club record set way back in 1903, and even that was across two different seasons.
The facts are that Arsenal have won their last eight games in all competitions without conceding a single goal - a joint-record for an English top-flight club, along with Preston in 1889 and Liverpool in 1920.
Bukayo Saka’s coolly taken first half penalty that set the Gunners on their way, made him the first Arsenal player to score in four consecutive away appearances in the Champions League, as they extended their unbeaten run to 13 matches in all competitions.
As for Max Dowman, making his bow in the Champions League at the tender age of 15 years and 308 days old - breaking the record set by Youssoufa Moukoko at 16 years and 18 days with Borussia Dortmund in 2020 - well, the sky is the limit for this lad.
He’s got a good family around him, along with a decent support network, meaning he hopefully won’t fall prey to rogue agents and leech-like hangers-on - which only leaves the vagaries of form and fitness to worry about.
There’s a very long way to go of course, even if we’re sure he’ll keep his feet on the ground but armed with such an excellent temperament, if he can navigate those two imponderables above, then we’re looking at a generational talent. Let’s hope so.
On Max Dowman making history as youngest-ever Champions League player, Arteta said after the match: “It doesn’t get any harder than this competition and Max at 15 straight away looked to take people on and win free-kicks. That shows the personality these kids have.
“The way he plays he attracts a lot of contact. We have a massive player there.”
It was also another great night for Maro Itoje’s cousin, Andre Harriman-Annous, after the 17-year-old made his Champions League debut.
At this rate they’ll be calling England’s rugby captain the cousin of Harriman-Annous soon…
Oh, and while we’re at it, Declan Rice didn’t get booked, therefore is most definitely available for the Gunners next match in this tournament, when the mighty Bayern Munich, Harry Kane and all come calling at the end of November. Arsenal owe Munich for various painful defeats over the years, let’s hope come November 25, there will be an element of payback.
No wonder Slavia Prague’s boss, Jindrich Trpisovsky insisted Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side have ‘no weaknesses.’
He added: “Inter Milan [who Slavia lost to in their second Champions League match]were strong at set-pieces, but Arsenal are stronger.
“They are a top team with the best sporting level, the best fitness and the best evolved.”
My shot of the magnificent travelling Arsenal support here in Prague.
3 - Magnificent traveling Gooners, magnificent Prague
Kudos to the home fans for their constant booming noise, which reminded me of the Athletic Bilbao game, when their fans never gave up supporting their team despite the result.
However, massive credit also has to be given to the magnificent traveling Gooners, as they too made a relentless racket. From my vantage point in the Slavia press box at the other end of the stadium, you could clearly hear the Arsenal supporters throughout the match.
Which, given the fact that Prague has so many superb pubs and bars meant that the visitors were suitably oiled after a splendid afternoon’s imbibing. And why not.
That’s what European awaydays are about as much was the football. Enjoying yourself in a different city.
I certainly did when I explored beguiling Prague during my downtime between press conferences, penning pieces, and the match itself. (**Watch this space for my Letter from Prague travelogue later this week.)**Not to mention catching up for a few pre-match jars with old Arsenal mates in a bar called K*nst, which I found far more amusing than I should have done.
Chapeau also to the drummer from Ashburton Army who refused to be drowned out by the Slavia ultras, by continuously showing his support by thrashing his drums (how they got them in is a different story, but fair play to him.)
All in all a wonderful trip to Prague. And I’ve still got two days left here to explore,so please watch this space for my Letter from Prague later this week.
Come on you Gunners,
Cheers
Saka shoots, Saka scores…
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