Arsenal secured a significant 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague, taking another confident stride towards the Champions League last 16. The match saw the Gunners not only maintain their perfect record in the competition with 12 points from a possible 12 but also equal a club record for consecutive clean sheets and witness a new Champions League age record. Despite the absence of key striker Viktor Gyökeres due to injury, a largely second-string Arsenal side demonstrated composure and dominance, extending their winning streak to 10 consecutive victories across all competitions.

The north London side, initially unconvincing in the opening 15 minutes as the hosts, backed by a vociferous home crowd at the Fortuna Arena, started on the front foot, gradually grew into the game. Their pressure paid off around the half-hour mark. Gabriel Magalhaes' header from a Bukayo Saka corner deflected off Slavia captain Lukáš Provod's hand. Following a VAR review by referee Aliyar Aghayev, a penalty was awarded. Saka calmly drilled the spot-kick into the bottom corner in the 32nd minute, marking his fifth goal of the season in all competitions and second in this Champions League campaign.

Arsenal doubled their lead just 36 seconds into the second half. Leandro Trossard delivered a pinpoint cross from the left, which was met by Mikel Merino with a cushioned left-foot volley, smashing it home from close range. Stepping into the centre-forward role in Gyökeres' absence, the Spaniard looked every inch the capable striker. Merino further solidified his performance by adding his second goal in the 67th minute, reacting quickest to Declan Rice’s forward delivery and nodding the ball past goalkeeper Jakub Markovic, who had tried to intercept.

The night was also historic for two young Arsenal academy graduates. Max Dowman, at 15 years and 308 days old, became the youngest player to ever appear in the Champions League, making his debut in the 71st minute as a substitute for Trossard. Fellow Hale End product Andre Harriman-Annous also made his Champions League bow, having already made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup the previous week. Arsenal's impressive defensive run continued, as they secured their eighth consecutive clean sheet, equalling a club record set way back in 1903.

The clean sheet was nearly threatened late in the game when a penalty was initially awarded to Slavia Prague for a foul on Provod by Arsenal substitute Ben White. However, another VAR review overturned the decision, much to the displeasure of the home crowd towards UEFA. With the result secure, Arsenal focused on seeing out the match defensively, capping a near-perfect evening that sent them to the top of the league phase table and left winless Slavia Prague on the brink of elimination, showcasing their current