Slavia Prague 1-2 Arsenal: Champions League report by Layth Yousif
Viktor Gyokeres netted a goal and an assist during a comfortable 2-1 win for Arsenal in front of a sellout attendance of 19,308 in the Czech capital on Wednesday evening.
The Swedish striker grabbed the Gunners second goal seven minutes before the interval, after Noni Madueke put the Premier League champions ahead as early as the seventh minute to move Mikel Arteta’s side into third place in the group stage table, despite Wiktor Nowiak’s 90th minute consolation for the home side.
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On a chilly evening in Prague, Arsenal boss Arteta made six changes from the team that won at Anfield for the first time in 14 years on Sunday.
Ben White and Piero Hincapie started in defence, with the Gunners World Cup winners Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino being drafted into midfield, while Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres featured in attack.
Noni Madueke raced into the box to slot home to put the Gunners 1-0 ahead in the ninth minute, with the assist coming from Viktor Gyokeres. Madueke’s opener was his fourth Champions League strike, but his first since his brace at Bruges last December as the visitors took control a yer to the day since they beat the same opponents 3-0 at the same venue.
With the visitors dominating proceedings, a rare Slavia attack saw David Zima flick the ball to Tomas Holes, who flashed his effort just past Raya’s near post following a long throw into the box on 35 minutes.
However, three minutes later Arsenal doubled their lead when Viktor Gyokeres fired home with an excellent finish after a one-two with Mikel Merino on the edge of the box to make it 2-0 as the Gunners went into the break firmly in command.
Shortly after the restart Kubiak tested Raya who proved equal to the task to turn the ball away. Moments later Emmanuel Ayaosi was brought down on the edge of the box with Slavia claiming a penalty – referee Tobias Stieler correctly ruled the foul occurred right on the edge, with the subsequent free-kick failing to trouble Raya with Slavia showing far more attacking intent in the opening minutes of the second half than they did for the entire first opening period.
As the clock ticked down substitute Jurrien Timber lifted the ball over the Slavia keeper but well wide of the far post. That was a chance for Arsenal that left boss Mikel Arteta with his head in his hands on the touchline.
There was drama moments later when Slavia swept up the other end with Kubiak forced a superb save from Raya who pushed the ball onto the post, with the home side forcibly claiming the ball had crossed the line. Thankfully for Arteta’s side the ball did not enter the net, even if Nowiak’s 90th minute goal was nothing more than a consolation, as the Gunners saw out the five minutes of added time to post their third win from four matches in the competition this term.
