Eight Without Concession

November 4, 2025

Fortuna Arena, Prague

The night was cold in the Czech capital, the air brittle with expectation. Red, white and blue lights flickered over the Fortuna Arena, where Slavia Prague, unbeaten at home, prepared to test Arsenal.

Arsenal arrived without Gyökeres — a muscular injury sustained at Burnley shelving him after what had been his most convincing half in Arsenal colours. Seven players absent now for injuries. Zubimendi suspended through accumulation, Rice one yellow away. Kepa missed Monday’s session. Football, as ever, resists straight lines.

It was in this same city that Arsenal once found harmony. Slavia’s first-ever Champions League campaign had placed them in Arsenal’s path, and the Gunners struck seven without reply at the Emirates — Walcott and Fàbregas with braces, Hleb and Bendtner completing the rout. That night remains one of Arsenal’s grandest European statements. But history guarantees nothing. Slavia’s front line — Chory, Chytil, and Kusej — had scored over forty between them last season. 

The whistle blew. Arsenal began in chaos and courage — Merino deployed as a false nine, Saka wearing the armband, Nwaneri trusted from the start. Within a minute, Gabriel volleyed wide. Slavia countered instantly, Zafeiris shooting narrowly off target. Saka then took command. On twenty minutes, he forced a save from distance; four minutes later, he fought free for another attempt. By the twenty-eighth, his persistence told — a handball after three consecutive corners brought VAR into play. Penalty given. Amid whistles, Saka struck low and sure to the keeper’s right. Cold precision. His second in three European matches.

From there, Arsenal held control. Chory’s theatrics in the box went ignored. Slavia’s energy ebbed. They fell often, searching for fouls. Arsenal’s response was patience.

Forty-five seconds into the second half, Trossard beat two men and crossed low. Merino arrived unmarked and finished simply. Twenty-two minutes later, he rose again — a looping cross, a misjudged punch by Marković, and the Spaniard nodded in his second. Nineteen goals for club and country this year. From midfielder to match-winner. 

VAR denied Slavia a late penalty, but their fans — bare-chested, unbroken — sang to the end.

Four wins from four in Europe. Eight consecutive clean sheets — a feat untouched since 1903. Raya now with four in Europe, chasing Almunia’s record, and Saka became the first Arsenal player to score in four straight away Champions League matches.

Slavia Prague 0 – 3 Arsenal

(B. Saka ‘32, M. Merino ‘46 ‘68)