Viktor Gyokeres scored and set up Noni Madueke as Arsenal held on to beat SK Slavia Praha 2-1 in the Champions League and extend their unbeaten run in the competition to 19 matches.
Arsenal were in control during an impressive first half, with Gyokeres providing the decisive contribution at both ends of the attack.
The Sweden striker held up David Raya’s long pass before sending Madueke through on goal in the ninth minute. Madueke ran into the area from the right and finished beneath Nazar Domchak to end a run of 10 Champions League matches without a goal since scoring twice against Club Brugge last season.
Mikel Merino went close to adding a second when Domchak tipped his effort over the crossbar, before another Merino header landed on the roof of the net.
Arsenal doubled their advantage in the 38th minute after winning possession high up the pitch. Merino played the ball into Gyokeres, who kept his composure to slot a left-footed finish past Domchak from the left side of the area.
Gabriel Magalhaes headed wide from Madueke’s deflected cross just before the interval, with Arsenal firmly in control.
However, the second half was a very different contest. Slavia Prague immediately increased the pressure and Oskar Kubiak forced Raya into a save just 22 seconds after the restart.
Madueke nearly punished the home side on the break, but Domchak covered the angle. Raya then failed to claim a 75th-minute corner, allowing Mojmir Chytil to send a header towards goal, only for Gabriel to clear it off the line.
Raya recovered moments later with an excellent save to turn Kubiak’s header on to the post and prevent the ball from crossing the line.
Slavia finally reduced the deficit in the 90th minute. David Jurasek returned a cleared long throw into the area and, with Raya drawn towards the ball, Wiktor Nowak was left unmarked to score into an empty net.
Arsenal had managed only four second-half attempts, worth 0.19 expected goals, while Slavia recorded 16 efforts worth 2.17 xG, six of them on target. Nowak’s goal came from their 14th attempt after the interval.
Three of Slavia’s five Champions League goals this season have arrived in the 88th minute or later, but they could not find an equaliser.
The result means Arsenal have now gone 32 matches unbeaten in the competition when scoring first, having last lost in that situation against Lens in October 2023. Their overall Champions League record is now 19 games without defeat, including 14 wins and five draws, excluding penalty shoot-outs.
Gyokeres has eight goal involvements in his past 10 starts for Arsenal in all competitions, including five goals and three assists. Across his career, he has contributed to 16 Champions League goals, with 12 goals and four assists. Only Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with 48 goals and 24 assists, has more among Swedish players.
Arsenal move up to third in the table, while their unbeaten away record against Slavia remains intact after three matches without conceding in their previous visits.
