Arsenal move up to third after victory over Slavia Prague

Arsenal climbed six places to third in the Champions League league phase after beating Slavia Prague 2-1 away from home in their fourth-round match.

Noni Madueke opened the scoring for the English side in the ninth minute, finishing into the bottom-left corner after Viktor Gyokeres’ pass sent him through on goal.

Gyokeres doubled Arsenal’s advantage in the 37th minute with an impressive strike, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead at half-time.

Slavia Prague came close to reducing the deficit in the 75th minute, but Gabriel Magalhaes produced a crucial clearance on the goal line to keep Arsenal’s two-goal advantage intact.

The video assistant referee then reviewed an incident involving a strong challenge by Mikel Merino on a Slavia Prague player. After the check, play was allowed to continue.

Slavia eventually pulled a goal back in the 90th minute when Nowak followed up a cross and turned the ball into the net.

Arsenal held on through the closing stages, with the final whistle confirming a 2-1 victory.

The result lifted Arsenal from ninth place, where they had been after the third round, into third in the standings with 10 points.

They are two points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. Slavia Prague remain 34th with one point.