Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 Champions League victory over Slavia Prague on Tuesday night, continuing their remarkable season start.
Mikel Arteta’s rotated side began slowly under the lights, with Gabriel Magalhaes and Lukas Provod failing to test the goalkeepers with early efforts on both ends. Arsenal struggled at first due to the hosts’ high press, but the Premier League giants ultimately broke through when Bukayo Saka forced Jakub Markovic to palm his shot wide.
The Gunners began to gain control of the game, winning a flurry of corners. Gabriel climbed to meet the fifth set piece and saw his header deflected over before the referee halted play to allow VAR to investigate a possible handball. Replays proved that the centre-back’s close-range effort impacted Provod’s arm, resulting in the penalty.
Saka stepped up and made no mistakes, despite Markovic’s correct estimate.
That set the tone after halftime, as Arsenal doubled their lead just seconds after returning for the second half. Leandro Trossard supplied from the left, and Mikel Merino, who had been brought in as a makeshift forward in place of Viktor Gyokeres, volleyed home through two defenders.
There was still time for Merino to score his brace after goalkeeper Markovic misjudged Declan Rice’s tricky ball into the box, closing off a pleasant evening for Arteta’s heavyweights, who, for the time being, have a three-point lead at the top.
Match Highlights
Slavia Prague Player Ratings
GK: Jakub Markovic (5/10)
Markovic made a fantastic early save, but there was nothing he could do to stop Saka’s precise penalty and Merino’s clever volley. He needed to do better with Arsenal’s third goal, though, after being beaten to the ball.
CB: Tomas Vlcek (5/10)
All at sea and unable to handle Merino’s direct centre-forward play.
CB: Stepan Chaloupek (5/10)
Chaloupek, like his centre-back teammates, was powerless to prevent the visitors from winning easily.
CB: David Zima (5.5/10)
He did his best to minimize the danger, particularly in the first 20 minutes, but succumbed to the game’s momentum.
WB: David Moses, 5/10.
Failed to create any danger after being pushed back, and was caught off guard multiple times when turning toward his own goal.
CM: Christos Zafiris (5.5/10)
The game may have shifted away from him, but Zafiris did make several important touches on the ball in an effort to serve as a calming effect.
CM: Michal Sadilek, 5/10.
Sadilek was harassed by Arsenal’s much smoother midfield on a miserable night for the hosts.
WB: Youssoupha Mbodji (5/10)
Mbodji did not bask in glory in the build-up to Arsenal’s second goal, as he was caught looking across the area. He was guilty of keeping Merino on side, which proved costly.
RW: Lukas Provod, 5.5/10.
Squandered an early opportunity in the first half before getting punished for a hard handball, which resulted in Arsenal’s opening goal from the spot. He did have some sparkling moments on the ball, however, particularly in the first period.
ST: Tomas Chory (5/10)
Ineffective in front and substituted immediately after Arsenal extended their lead.
LW: Youssoupha Sanyang (5/10)
A calm day at the office, especially as Slavia Prague was locked inside their own half for much of the game.
SUB: Mojmir Chytil (48’) – 5/10
Chytil, like Chory, the man he replaced, struggled to make an influence on the game.
SUB: David Doudera – N/A, Muhammed Cham – N/A.
SUB: Vasil Kusej – N/A, Daiki Hashioka – N/A.
Arsenal Players’ Ratings
GK: David Raya, 6/10.
A calm evening among the sticks. Raya could have watched the majority of the game from the comfort of the stands. When called upon, he was accomplished and confident, resulting in another well-deserved shutout.
RB: Jurrien Timber – 6/10
Timber gave a consistent performance at right-back. He chipped in defensively to help Arsenal withstand the hosts’ early onslaught, and he also contributed on the ball as the Gunners took the lead.
CB: William Saliba (7/10)
Arsenal’s Mr Dependable delivers yet another good effort. Saliba dominated in the air, despite the hosts’ attempts to disrupt the game.
CB: Gabriel Magalhaes (7/10)
Slavia Prague never looked like scoring, with Saliba and Gabriel once again demonstrating why they are possibly the world’s best centre-back combination right now.
LB: Piero Hincapie (6/10)
Hincapie delivered a solid, if not brilliant, effort and will now aim for a steady run of games.
CM: Ethan Nwaneri (5.5/10)
It didn’t quite click for Nwaneri, as Arteta saw after barking out instructions to him during the first half. He was also booked after taking one for the team as Slavia Prague attempted to retaliate.
CM: Christian Norgaard, 6/10.
There were some positive and negative moments. However, Norgaard is gradually displaying why Arsenal was correct to get him in the summer, and he remains a viable rotation option.
CM: Declan Rice (6.5/10)
Merino’s second goal of the game came from a fantastic ball into the area, and Rice once again covered every blade of grass. He is having an absolutely outstanding season on both ends of the field.
RW: Bukayo Saka (7.5/10)
Saka was once again excellent and proved to be a major thorn in Slavia Prague’s side. He took his penalty well and was disappointed not to add to his score.
ST: Mikel Merino (8/10)
A stunning effort from a midfielder who appears to be a natural goal scorer. Both of his goals sprang from his razor-sharp reflexes inside the box. Gyokeres may have gazed on, face buried in his hands.
LW: Leandro Trossard (6.5/10)
Picked up an excellent assist after setting up Merino for his first goal, and was a great livewire down the flank.
SUB: Eberechi Eze (65′) – 6/10
The dynamic playmaker had a good cameo off the bench.
SUB: Ben White – N/A, Myles Lewis-Skelly – N/A, and Max Dowman – N/A.
SUB: Andre Harriman-Annous (N/A)
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