Another away day, another victory for Arsenal. This time, the much-maligned Viktor Gyökeres stole the show as poor Slavia Prague matched the longest winless streak in European Cup and Champions League history despite a spirited late comeback. That now stands at 23, equalling the mark set by AEK Athens and FCSB – formerly known as Steaua Bucharest – while Arsenal are now unbeaten in their last 10 away European trips. After last week’s wobble against Fleetwood, there was no prospect of Arsenal making the same mistake again as soon as Noni Madueke fired them ahead early on after being superbly set up by Gyökeres.
That was his third assist in his last five appearances, although Mikel Arteta will have been even more encouraged by the emphatic finish that had seemed to put the game beyond Slavia’s reach just before the break. While Kai Havertz remains his undoubted first choice, having another striker in form will only boost Arsenal’s challenge and it was noticeable that there was an extra spring in the 28-year-old’s step after his goal.
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