Another game, another slew of records for Arsenal’s defensive machine. This time it was one that had stretched back more than 55 years, when Leeds became the last English team not to concede a goal in their opening four matches, in the 1969/70 European Cup campaign under Don Revie.
Slavia Prague gave it their best shot and thought they had been awarded a late penalty, only for the video assistant referee to deny them. The Czech champions finally recorded a shot on target against David Raya in stoppage time, but Arsenal made it eight successive clean sheets in all competitions for the first time since they were in what was the Second Division, in 1903.
A penalty from Bukayo Saka and two second-half goals from their makeshift striker Mikel Merino sealed a 10th successive victory for Mikel Arteta’s side. There was also a special moment for Max Dowman as he became the youngest player in Champions League history at just 15 years 308 days, when he was brought on to replace the excellent Leandro Trossard with the points already firmly in the bag.
It has been to Arsenal’s immense credit that they have managed to maintain their winning run with so many attacking players missing through injury, with Viktor Gyökeres becoming the latest when he limped off against Burnley on Saturday. There are fears that the Sweden striker has injured a hamstring but it is hoped he could return with Gabriel Martinelli and the captain Martin Ødegaard in time for the north London derby against Tottenham after the international break.
