Arsenal survive Slavia Prague scare to extend unbeaten Champions League away run

Arsenal extended their unbeaten away record in the Champions League to 10 matches with a 2-1 win over Slavia Prague, despite surrendering control after half-time and facing a tense finish in the Czech Republic.

Mikel Arteta’s side appeared to be cruising after Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres scored in the opening 38 minutes. But Slavia improved significantly after the interval, forcing Arsenal into a defensive battle before Wiktor Nowak reduced the deficit in the 90th minute.

Arsenal held on for three important points, although Arteta said his players had plenty to learn from the way the match developed.

“Always we need to value winning away in the Champions League – it is extremely difficult,” Arteta told TNT Sports.

“Two very different halves. We should have had three or four goals in the first half, but we didn’t do it. Right at the start of the second half we were on the back foot, very sloppy and gave balls away. Then we had to suffer. A lot to learn.”

Madueke put Arsenal in front after nine minutes when he ran through on goal following a clever flick-on by Gyokeres. The forward then finished between goalkeeper Nazar Domchak’s legs.

Arsenal remained in control and Mikel Merino came close several times before the visitors doubled their lead in the 38th minute. Gyokeres exchanged passes with Merino and completed the move with an excellent finish that struck the post on its way in.

Slavia had offered little attacking threat during the first half but returned with greater urgency. David Raya was called upon early in the second period, while Gabriel made two important headed clearances to keep the hosts at bay.

Arsenal were unable to reproduce their earlier dominance and Slavia eventually found a way through in the final minute of normal time. Nowak converted David Jurasek’s delivery from close range to set up a nervy conclusion.

Arteta defended his decision to make six changes to the starting line-up and said he would make the same selection again.

“We should have scored more in the first half and if we didn’t do that we had to go and do that in the second half,” he added.

“Whether we were lacking something I don’t know, but I would have done the same thing again.”

The result maintains Arsenal’s unbeaten record against Czech opposition, with 10 wins and two draws from 12 meetings.

Slavia Prague remain without a victory in their last 23 Champions League proper matches. Their record in that run is eight draws and 15 defeats.