Arsenal secured a 2-1 victory over Slavia Prague in the Champions League, with Viktor Gyokeres providing an assist and a goal to keep the Gunners within two points of the competition's summit.
The Premier League champions were firm favourites to claim all three points in the Czech capital, and Noni Madueke had them ahead after just eight minutes. Gyokeres, provider of the opening goal, then got in on the act himself with a stunning finish.
Gunners survive late scare
The Gunners were involved in much more of a fight in the second half and had to navigate a nervous final five minutes after Wiktor Nowak scored from close range to give Slavia Prague hope. Arsenal, runners-up in Europe last season, are looking to go one step further, and their win ensures they are only two points off the top two, the only sides with perfect records after four games.
Arsenal secured victory in Prague a year ago and began in dominant fashion. Madueke's pace saw him latch onto a through ball from Gyokeres, and the winger was able to compose himself before opening the scoring inside ten minutes.
For all their possession dominance, Arsenal did not pepper the Slavia Prague goal but did double their lead on 37 minutes as Gyokeres showed huge confidence. The Swede continued to have his doubters, but a give and go with Mikel Merino allowed him to open up his body and finish impressively, with a helping hand from the post.
Gyokeres delights Arteta
The hosts began the second half with renewed energy, and Oskar Kubiak's effort from distance forced David Raya into one of his few saves for the night. Arsenal did eventually wrestle back control, but with the Czech side posing so little threat, the need for a third goal was minimal.
Slavia Prague saw appeals for a penalty against Mikel Merino waved away with a quarter of an hour remaining, but did eventually give their fans something to cheer in injury time when Nowak tapped home from a David Jurasek cross, but it would only prove to be a consolation.
An assist and a goal in the first half was the perfect platform for the Arsenal striker who, seemingly every time he takes to the pitch, has to respond to his critics. The jury is still out on whether the Swede will be the man who regularly leads the Gunners' line. But on Wednesday night the Swede was in full flow, and Arteta was jumping for joy when he saw Gyokeres double the Arsenal lead, with his faith in his striker unwavering.
Still building and unwanted history
No team has played more games in the Champions League than Arsenal without winning it. But all the signs point to the north Londoners being as well equipped as they ever have been to end that wait. Three years ago Bayern Munich ended their hopes in the last eight, the following year it was semi-final heartbreak at the hands of PSG, and last year's loss, to the French giants once again, is well documented.
Slavia Prague made history on Wednesday night, just not the kind they would like, as their winless run was extended to 23 games. Their reverse at the hands of Arsenal means they have now gone 23 Champions League games without a win since they claimed victory in their first ever game in the competition back in 2007. The loss has now equalled the longest winless run in European Cup history, matching the forgettable runs registered by both AEK Athens (1989-2006) and Steaua Bucharest (2006-2013).
