Arsenal's unstoppable momentum reaches new heights as they notch up 10 straight wins with a dominant performance against Slavia Prague, courtesy of Mikel Merino's brilliant brace!
It's exhilarating to witness Arsenal's defensive fortress setting yet another benchmark in football history. This latest achievement echoes back over half a century, matching Leeds' feat in the 1969/70 European Cup—where the English side managed to keep their goal intact across their first four matches under the guidance of Don Revie. But here's where it gets controversial: some fans might argue that modern technology and tactics make such records easier today compared to the gritty, physical battles of old. What do you think—has football evolution leveled the playing field, or do these milestones still carry the same weight?
Slavia Prague threw everything they had at Arsenal, even believing they deserved a late penalty, only for the video assistant referee (VAR) to rule it out. The Czech champions finally got a shot on target against goalkeeper David Raya deep into added time, but Arsenal extended their clean sheet streak to eight in a row across all competitions—a feat not seen since their days in the Second Division back in 1903. For beginners, a clean sheet simply means not conceding any goals, showcasing just how solid a team's defense is.
Bukayo Saka's penalty kick got things rolling, followed by two second-half strikes from their versatile makeshift striker, Mikel Merino, securing a 10th consecutive triumph for Mikel Arteta's squad. There was a heartwarming highlight for Max Dowman, who broke the record as the youngest player ever in Champions League history at just 15 years and 308 days. He came on as a substitute for the outstanding Leandro Trossard when the game was already decided. This moment underscores the importance of nurturing young talent—imagine starting your professional career at such a tender age; it's a reminder of how clubs like Arsenal invest in the future.
And this is the part most people miss: Arsenal's ability to keep winning despite numerous injuries to key attackers. Viktor Gyökeres was the latest casualty, limping off during the match against Burnley on Saturday with what could be a hamstring strain. Optimistically, he might recover in time to reunite with Gabriel Martinelli and captain Martin Ødegaard for the upcoming north London derby against Tottenham, following the international break. It's a testament to the team's depth and adaptability, isn't it?
Meanwhile, Merino reprised his role from last season with flair, proving his goal-scoring prowess remains sharp through two expertly crafted finishes. The team saw three other tweaks: Christian Nørgaard shone in place of the suspended Martín Zubimendi, while Piero Hincapié and Ethan Nwaneri made strong impressions in rare starting opportunities.
Slavia's coach, Jindrich Trpisovsky, a seasoned figure with four domestic league titles under his belt, had previously hailed Arsenal as one of the toughest opponents his team has faced and even called Declan Rice the world's finest free-kick specialist. Despite Slavia reclaiming the top spot in their Czech league over the weekend, they've yet to secure a victory in this tournament. They were up against a daunting task, given Arsenal's perfect record of 10 games without defeat against Czech teams, having leaked only three goals in total.
But here's where it gets controversial again: Slavia started strongly, unsettling Arsenal with their intense, high-pressure style, led by the towering 6ft 6in Czech striker Tomas Chory, who posed a real physical challenge to the defense. Center-back Gabriel Magalhães required treatment for a facial cut mid-first half but refused to leave. Slavia handled Arsenal's early corner effectively, and Ethan Nwaneri earned a booking for checking Youssoupha Sanyang during a quick counter-attack attempt.
After 25 minutes, Saka finally tested Slavia's goalkeeper Jakub Markovic by bursting into the box, and Rice's subsequent corner nearly snuck in at the near post. Saka's follow-up shot was just as threatening, and on the ensuing corner, Gabriel got the first touch—but VAR intervened, spotting Lukas Provod's arm in an unnatural position blocking the Brazilian's header. Saka, unbothered by the home fans' protests, calmly converted the penalty to give Arsenal the edge. Slavia felt they should have had a penalty themselves right before halftime due to a potential handball by Hincapié, but the Azerbaijani referee disagreed. These VAR moments often spark debate—do they enhance fairness, or do they disrupt the game's flow? It's worth pondering.
Any glimmer of a comeback vanished almost immediately after the break. Rice found Trossard unmarked, whose cross was met with a powerful volley by Merino right at the near post. This exemplified Arsenal at their most precise.
An irritated Chory was promptly substituted as Slavia adjusted tactics, yet they struggled to test Raya. Merino's second goal was a classic poacher's strike, anticipating Rice's cross to nod it past Markovic into the unguarded net.
It was a remarkable week for Dowman, who became Arsenal's youngest starter in the Carabao Cup clash with Brighton and now tops Youssoufa Moukoko's record from Borussia Dortmund (set at 16 years and 18 days in December 2020). He appeared completely comfortable in this elite setting, and even a late VAR review—initially penalizing Ben White for a high boot before overturning it—couldn't mar Arsenal's flawless evening.
What are your thoughts on Arsenal's dominance? Do you see them as a future European powerhouse, or is this run destined to falter? And on the VAR controversies—does technology help or hinder the beautiful game? Share your opinions in the comments below; I'd love to hear differing views!
