Arsenal moved to the top of the Champions League table with a convincing 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague in the Czech capital. The Gunners have now won all four of their group stage matches, thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino (2).
Mikel Arteta's team took the lead in the 32nd minute when Saka coolly converted a penalty. Merino then doubled the visitors' lead just 36 seconds into the second half with a neat finish. The Spanish midfielder sealed the win with a brave header in the 68th minute.
SunSport's Chisanga Malata rates and reviews the Arsenal players' performance in Prague:
Arsenal Player Ratings
- David Raya – 6/10: Made a stunning near-post save in the fifth minute and distributed the ball well.
- Jurrien Timber – 6: Steady at the back, growing into the game in the second half.
- William Saliba – 6: Marshalled the defence well, thwarting Slavia's attacks.
- Gabriel – 6: Solid when called upon, a threat in the box from set-pieces.
- Piero Hincapie – 6: Steadied himself after a few early mistakes, showed flashes of danger going forward.
- Declan Rice – 7: The lynchpin in midfield, teeing up Merino's second goal.
- Christian Norgaard – 6: Complemented Rice well, doing the dirty work.
- Ethan Nwaneri – 5: Struggled to make an impact, booked in the 23rd minute and substituted in the 65th.
- Bukayo Saka – 7: Quiet initially, tested the keeper and converted the penalty.
- Leandro Trossard – 7: Lively on the left wing, teeing up Merino's second goal.
- Mikel Merino – 8: Struggled in the first half but scored a double, including a brave header.
- Subs:
- Eberechi Eze (for Nwaneri, 65') – 5: Failed to make an impact.
- Max Dowman (for Trossard, 72') – 6: Became the youngest-ever Champions League player.
- Ben White (for Timber, 72') – 5: Had a brief scare but steadied himself.
- Myles Lewis-Skelly (for Hincapie, 72') – 5: Slotted in nicely.
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