UCL: Arsenal Stay Flawless in Europe, Thrash Slavia Prague 3-0 -

Arsenal extended their perfect start in the UEFA Champions League to four wins from four and equalled a club record of eight consecutive clean sheets with a commanding 3–0 victory over Slavia Prague in the Czech capital on Tuesday night.

The Gunners’ performance was highlighted by Mikel Merino’s second-half double and a Bukayo Saka penalty, while 15-year-old Max Dowman made history as the youngest-ever player in the competition’s history.

In the club’s post-match release, Arsenal said, “We made it four wins out of four in the Champions League, and equalled a club record for eight consecutive clean sheets, with a 3-0 win in the Czech capital.”

After early exchanges that saw Slavia Prague threaten without hitting the target, Arsenal grew into the contest and took control of possession.

“It’s the fourth consecutive Champions League game in which he has netted, and it took his overall tally in the competition to 12 goals from just 20 starts.”

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Merino Doubles, Saka Penalty

Starting as a makeshift striker in place of the injured Viktor Gyokeres, Merino struck almost immediately after the restart.

Arsenal wrote, “He volleyed home Leandro Trossard’s left wing cross from close range.

“The Spaniard had ghosted in between two defenders to notch his 18th goal of the calendar year for club and country.”

The Spaniard wasn’t done.

Twenty minutes later, he headed in a second goal after goalkeeper Markovic failed to deal with Declan Rice’s delivery.

As the release reported, “Markovic jumped up with the Spaniard, but made a mess of claiming the ball, and Merino headed in.”

Dowman makes UCL history
With the result beyond doubt, manager Mikel Arteta introduced several youngsters, including Max Dowman, who entered the record books.

The club confirmed, “That was the signal for Mikel Arteta to make a triple change, with Dowman sent on for his Champions League debut. In the process, he became the youngest player in the competition’s history, at the age of 15 years and 308 days.”

The Gunners’ defence remained resolute until the end.

A late Slavia penalty appeal was overturned by VAR, ensuring Arsenal’s remarkable clean-sheet streak continued.

“So the clean sheet run goes on. Eight in a row equals a club record that has stood since 1903,” the statement read.

Arsenal will travel to Sunderland on Saturday for their next Premier League fixture, before hosting FC Bayern Munich in the Champions League after the November international break.