Arsenal beat Slavia Prague 3-0, Mikel Merino scored a brace.
Arsenal won 3-0 away at Slavia Prague, equaling the club's record of eight clean sheets from 1903; Mikel Merino scored a brace as a substitute amidst a wave of injuries.
Arsenal secured a convincing 3-0 victory away at Slavia Prague in the fourth round of the Champions League qualifying matches early Wednesday morning (Vietnam time). Amidst a personnel crisis in their attack, Mikel Merino – filling in for Viktor Gyokeres – scored a brace, helping the North London side secure three points and equal the club's record of eight consecutive clean sheets, a record dating back to 1903.
Mikel Merino scores a brace, Arsenal take the lead after the break.
After a relatively quiet first 45 minutes, Merino created the turning point at the start of the second half. Receiving a pass from Leandro Trossard, the former Real Sociedad player made an intelligent run, broke free to face Jakub Markovic, and finished from close range to double Arsenal's lead.
The header in the 68th minute sealed the performance.
In the 68th minute, Merino once again positioned himself perfectly to leap high and head home Declan Rice's cross, completing his brace against Slavia Prague. Both plays showcased Merino's core values: sharp off-ball movement and clinical finishing.
The personnel crisis and Mikel Arteta's solution.
Arsenal faced a long list of absentees including Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus. In this context, manager Mikel Arteta (43 years old) found a surprising and effective solution in Merino – who was moved up to take on the responsibility of scoring goals.
Merino not only filled the void but also provided a reliable target in the penalty area, linking well with Trossard and exploiting second balls from midfield. His presence helped Arsenal maintain enough attacking intensity to control the game in the Czech Republic.
Key features
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Score | Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal |
| The one who left their mark | Mikel Merino (double) |
| Merino's goals | Beginning of the second half; 68th minute (header) |
| Defensive record | Eight consecutive clean sheets (matching the 1903 mark) |
Merino's "sharp" streak
The 29-year-old midfielder's excellent positioning and finishing ability were key to the victory. At the national team level, he is on an impressive run with 6 goals in his last 3 World Cup qualifying matches for Spain. As of this point in 2025, his total number of goals for club and national team has reached 19.
The defense maintained its standards, and a historical record was reached.
The victory in the Czech Republic also helped Arsenal equal the club's record of eight consecutive clean sheets, a milestone set in 1903. In their current impressive form, this is evidence of the organization and focus of their defensive system, providing a foundation for the team to control risks and accelerate results.
Impact on the Champions League race
Three points away from home solidified Arsenal's position in Europe's top competition. More importantly, the performance against Slavia Prague showed that Arteta's team still retains its composure and the quality of rotation even when short of players, with Merino providing a temporary but convincing solution in attack.
