Who needs Gyokeres when there's ruthless Merino? Spaniard's brace crushes Slavia

Fourth Arsenal's Champions League clash, fourth duel against a red-and-white team, and fourth victory for the Gunners. After Athletic Bilbao, Olympiacos, and Atletico Madrid, Mikel Arteta's men brushed aside Slavia Prague 3-0.

The Czech side held out until conceding the opener, Bukayo Saka's 32nd-minute spot kick, and afterwards gave the visitors complete control of the match.

Many were concerned because Viktor Gyokeres wasn't available for today's clash, but they didn't know that one man in Arsenal's ranks couldn't wait to be a striker again. When Mikel Merino - today in the position of a centre-forward - doubled the lead half a minute after the break, it was clear that the three points would travel to London.

The Spaniard proved he really loved to score in the 68th minute, when he made it 3-0, completing his first-ever UCL brace and setting the final score in another Gunners' clean-sheet victory, eighth in a row.

Mikel Arteta decided to mix things up for the clash against Slavia. Given that Viktor Gyokeres was sidelined, Mikel Merino took his place as a centre-forward, while Christian Norgaard was in for his first career UCL start and Piero Hincapie for his maiden start of the season. Still, key players such as Declan Rice, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Jurrien Timber were also there.

During the opening quarter of an hour, the home team was better and even had an edge in shots (4-1), but as the end of the first period approached, Arsenal took control of the game.

Bukayo Saka was by far the most active player among the visitors, as he had three decent attempts on target in a short period, but Slavia's custodian Jakub Markovic stopped each of them.

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At the same time, the Gunners took five corner kicks in the opening half an hour, but surprisingly, it brought them little. Yet, the sixth one was the charm, though it didn't get them the opener, but a penalty kick.

Following Gabriel's header, the home team's captain, Lukas Provod, handballed, and the ref had no dilemma. Saka's fourth effort on target from the spot ended up behind Markovic's back, as Arteta's men broke the deadlock and set the half-time score.

Still, the away fans didn't have to wait long for another goal in Slavia's net, as Merino made it 2-0 just 36 seconds after the break! Rice initiated Arsenal's counter, Leandro Trossard crossed the ball inside from the left flank, and the Spaniard netted his first UCL goal of the season in true elite striker fashion. Nevertheless, that wasn't the end of his show! Twenty-two minutes later, following Rice's cross and Markovic's poor reaction, Merino completed a brace with a skillful header, proving once again that he's not far from world-class net-busters.

That was the punch that finally knocked Slavia down and secured a new Gunners' UCL win - their fourth in as many matches. At the same time, Arteta's crew now leads the table, at least until Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid play their matches. On the other hand, the Czech side is closer to the bottom, having won only two points so far.

In the next round in three weeks, the North London club will host the Bavarians in a derby, as Slavia will play Athletic Bilbao at home.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 4

Tuesday

Napoli - Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0

Slavia Prague - Arsenal 0-3 (0-1)

/Saka 32 pen, Merino 46, 68/

23.00: (1.30) Atl.Madrid (6.50) St.Gilloise (10.0)

23.00: (2.35) Bodo (3.70) Monaco (3.05)

23.00: (1.95) Juventus (3.85) Sporting (3.90)

23.00: (2.45) Liverpool (3.90) Real Madrid (2.75)

23.00: (2.65) Olympiakos (3.60) PSV (2.70)

23.00: (2.60) PSG (3.80) Bayern (2.65)

23.00: (1.48) Tottenham (4.60) Copenhagen (7.25)

Wednesday

20.45: (7.00) Paphos (4.40) Villareal (1.47)

20.45: (8.00) Qarabag (5.30) Chelsea (1.35)

23.00: (3.20) Ajax (4.00) Galatasaray (2.15)

23.00: (2.05) Benfica (3.70) Leverkusen (3.70)

23.00: (5.50) Club Brugge (5.15) Barcelona (1.53)

23.00: (1.05) Inter (14.0) Kairat Almaty (45.0)

23.00: (1.45) Man.City (5.25) Dortmund (6.75)

23.00: (1.50) Newcastle (4.20) Ath.Bilbao (6.75)

23.00: (2.10) Olympique Marseille (3.75) Atalanta (3.50)

***odds are subject to change***