Arsenal maintained their flawless form in the UEFA Champions League with a dominant 3–0 win over Slavia Prague on Tuesday night, making it four wins from four and equalling a 121-year-old club record of eight straight clean sheets.
Mikel Merino was the star of the night, netting twice in the second half after Bukayo Saka had opened the scoring from the penalty spot. The match also saw 15-year-old Max Dowman make history as the youngest player ever to appear in the competition.
After surviving some early pressure from Slavia Prague, the Gunners took charge of the game and began creating chances. Saka came close twice before winning a penalty for handball, which he calmly slotted into the bottom right corner to give Arsenal the lead. It was his fourth consecutive Champions League match with a goal, taking his tally to 12 goals in just 20 starts in the competition.
Just moments after the restart, Merino doubled Arsenal’s advantage by volleying home Leandro Trossard’s cross from close range. The Spaniard struck again midway through the second half, heading in Declan Rice’s delivery after Slavia goalkeeper Jakub Markovic failed to clear the ball.
With the victory secured, Mikel Arteta introduced several young players, including Max Dowman, who replaced a senior teammate to become the youngest player in Champions League history at 15 years and 308 days old.
Arsenal’s defensive discipline held firm as a late Slavia penalty appeal was overturned by VAR, preserving their eighth consecutive clean sheet — a feat last achieved by the club in 1903.
The Gunners will now turn their attention to domestic action as they travel to Sunderland on Saturday before facing Bayern Munich in their next Champions League fixture after the international break.
