Viktor Gyökeres scored and provided an assist as Arsenal maintained their unbeaten start to the UEFA Champions League league phase with a 2-1 victory over Slavia Prague.
Manager Mikel Arteta made six changes to the side that defeated Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, with the Swedish striker leading the attack in place of Kai Havertz.
Gyökeres made an immediate impact, setting up Arsenal’s opening goal in the ninth minute. The forward hooked the ball behind the Slavia Prague defence for Noni Madueke, who raced through and finished confidently.
The 27-year-old then doubled Arsenal’s advantage before half-time, combining with Mikel Merino before curling an excellent effort into the net off the post.
Slavia Prague responded with greater urgency after the break and came close to reducing the deficit when Oskar Kubiak tested David Raya with a shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Arsenal were also forced to defend a dangerous set-piece, with Gabriel Magalhães clearing Mojmír Chytil’s header off the line following a corner.
The hosts eventually found a breakthrough in the 90th minute through Wiktor Nowak, who scored from close range, but Arsenal held on to secure all three points.
The result extends Arsenal’s unbeaten run to four matches in this season’s league phase and leaves them third in the standings, behind Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
The Gunners had finished the previous campaign’s league phase with a 100 per cent record and remain firmly in contention for another strong European campaign.
