Arsenal's winning streak continues, but this time with a historic defensive record! In a thrilling match, Arsenal secured a 10th consecutive victory, crushing Slavia Prague 2-0, thanks to a double from Mikel Merino.
The Gunners' defense has been nothing short of extraordinary. They've now matched a record set by Leeds United way back in the 1969/70 season, keeping a clean sheet in their first four games of the European Cup campaign. But here's where it gets even more impressive: Arsenal has achieved this feat without conceding a single goal in their last eight matches across all competitions, a record that dates back to their time in the Second Division in 1903!
The game started with Slavia Prague giving Arsenal a run for their money. The Czech champions thought they had a late penalty, but the video assistant referee (VAR) had other ideas. Despite their efforts, Slavia couldn't find a way past David Raya until stoppage time, when they finally managed a shot on target.
Arsenal's attack, led by Bukayo Saka's penalty and Merino's second-half brace, proved too much for the opposition. And it wasn't just the regulars who shone; Max Dowman, aged just 15 years and 308 days, became the youngest player in Champions League history when he came on as a substitute.
The team's resilience is remarkable, especially considering their injury woes. With Viktor Gyökeres joining the list of absentees, Arsenal's attack has been depleted. Yet, they continue to find ways to win.
Merino, stepping up as a makeshift striker, showcased his clinical finishing. Christian Nørgaard, filling in for the suspended Martín Zubimendi, and the impressive duo of Piero Hincapié and Ethan Nwaneri on rare starts, all contributed to a well-rounded team performance.
Slavia Prague's manager, Jindrich Trpisovsky, had high praise for Arsenal, calling them one of the best teams they've faced. Despite their domestic success, Slavia couldn't break Arsenal's defense, who were unbeaten in their last 10 games against Czech opponents.
The game wasn't without its tense moments. Slavia started strongly, with Tomas Chory causing problems for Arsenal's defense. But the Gunners held firm, and after a controversial VAR decision, Saka gave Arsenal the lead from the penalty spot. Slavia felt aggrieved, believing they should have had a penalty of their own, but the referee disagreed.
The second half saw Arsenal take control. A brilliant cross from Declan Rice found Merino, who volleyed home to double the lead. And that's when the floodgates opened. Arsenal's dominance was on full display, and Slavia struggled to keep up.
Dowman's record-breaking week continued, solidifying his place in Arsenal's history. Despite a late scare, the Gunners held on for yet another win, leaving their fans ecstatic.
But the big question remains: Can Arsenal keep this incredible form going? With a derby against Tottenham on the horizon, the pressure is on. Will they continue to defy the odds, or will their winning streak finally come to an end? Share your predictions in the comments below!
