Arsenal ease past Slavia Prague as Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres strike

Arsenal secured a 2-0 victory over Slavia Prague in the Champions League league phase, with Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres scoring during a dominant first half.

Arsenal controlled possession from the opening minutes, recording 73% of the ball at one stage as they moved the ball through midfield in search of an opening. Slavia Prague defended in numbers, but Mikel Arteta’s side eventually broke through.

Gyokeres collected the ball in Slavia Prague’s defensive half before sending a pass into the penalty area. Madueke ran through on goal and finished low into the left side of the net to put Arsenal ahead.

The visitors continued to create chances. Mikel Merino saw a powerful effort from the edge of the area brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Nizar Dumchatch, while another Merino header flew narrowly over the crossbar.

Eberechi Eze also came close after a fine individual run inside the box. He rounded the goalkeeper, but a defender recovered to clear his effort off the line. Gabriel Magalhaes later produced a similar piece of defensive intervention at the other end, clearing a header from the goal-line after Nizar Dumchatch had come out unsuccessfully to claim a cross.

Slavia Prague threatened through Emmanuel Ayossi, whose long-range effort towards the bottom-right corner was saved by David Raya. Oscar Dorley also tested the Arsenal goalkeeper from the edge of the box, while Thomas Holes sent a shot just wide of the right post.

Arsenal doubled their lead before half-time. Mikel Merino played an excellent through ball from the middle of the Slavia Prague half, releasing Gyokeres on the left side of the penalty area. The forward struck powerfully into the left corner.

At the interval, Arsenal had managed two shots to Slavia Prague’s none, while the score remained 2-0.

Slavia Prague improved after the restart and Emmanuel Ayossi forced another save from Raya with a fierce attempt from distance. A free-kick from Oscar Dorley struck the defensive wall, and the home side also saw a dangerous cross from David Moses dealt with by the Arsenal defence.

Arsenal still had opportunities to add a third. Rice’s advanced run into the area did not produce a shooting chance, while Madueke’s effort towards the left side of the goal was superbly stopped by Dumchatch. Arsenal later recorded eight shots to Slavia Prague’s five, with possession standing at 56% to 44%.

There were yellow cards for Arsenal players after fouls involving Michel Sadlek and Emmanuel Ayossi, while a Slavia Prague player was booked for a challenge on Eze. Arsenal also made three substitutions, while Slavia Prague used four, including changes at half-time. The match was briefly stopped because of an injury to Ayossi before one minute of added time was played.