Merino Shines as Arsenal Beat Slavia 3-0 Without Gyokeres

Published: 05 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online

Arsenal extended their remarkable winning streak to ten matches in all competitions with a convincing 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague on Tuesday night, continuing their flawless run in the Champions League group stage. Despite the absence of their injured striker Viktor Gyokeres, it was midfielder-turned-forward Mikel Merino who stole the spotlight, scoring twice in a performance that embodied both adaptability and leadership.

The Gunners travelled to Prague amid growing concerns over their injury list, particularly in the attacking department. Viktor Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal for £64 million in the summer to fill the void of a natural number nine, is sidelined with a muscle injury that Mikel Arteta described as “concerning.” Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, and captain Martin Ødegaard also remain unavailable, leaving Arteta with few conventional attacking options. Yet Arsenal once again demonstrated that adversity often brings out their best.

Bukayo Saka’s first-half penalty set the tone before Merino, deployed as a makeshift striker, produced two goals of composure and precision in the second half to seal a commanding win. The result not only maintained Arsenal’s perfect record in the Champions League group but also extended their run of eight consecutive clean sheets—a defensive feat not achieved since 1903.

Speaking after the match, Arteta was full of praise for his stand-in striker. “It’s a joy to have him,” he said. “His mindset, his leadership, the way he is as a person—it’s exactly what we need in moments like this. We’re missing a lot of attacking players, and we have to find different solutions. He comes into the Champions League and scores two goals. That tells you everything.”

It was a tactical gamble that paid off handsomely. Merino, naturally a central midfielder, first took on the false nine role last season when Havertz and Gabriel Jesus were both injured. That experiment began as a necessity but evolved into an inspired discovery. In that spell, he scored crucial goals against Chelsea, Fulham, and Real Madrid, finishing the season with nine goals in all competitions. Against Slavia, he reminded everyone of his intelligence, timing, and finishing ability inside the box.

His first goal came shortly after halftime when Leandro Trossard whipped in a teasing cross from the left. Merino’s movement was instinctive—he drifted between defenders and guided the ball past the Slavia goalkeeper with a calm, one-touch finish. His second arrived in the 72nd minute, a well-timed header from Declan Rice’s delivery that underscored his growing comfort in the penalty area.

The Spaniard, who was part of Spain’s Euro 2024-winning squad and scored the decisive extra-time winner against Germany in the quarter-final, has always been admired by Arteta for his versatility. But his transformation into an attacking focal point has been one of Arsenal’s most unexpected success stories.

“My view was always that he had really good timing and the capacity to finish in the box,” Arteta explained. “We’ve been working with him to play closer to goal, to understand how to attack spaces depending on how teams defend the box. And of course, his quality does the rest. He’s learning and practicing every day.”

Merino’s humility and self-awareness remain as impressive as his technical ability. Speaking after the match, he said, “This team doesn’t care who is injured or who isn’t available. We all have the same mentality and fire inside. I’m just trying to fill the role of the number nine, even though I’m not a classic striker. My goal is simple—to help the team with goals and movement.”

That selfless attitude resonates deeply within the squad. A popular figure in the dressing room, Merino has quietly become part of Arsenal’s leadership group—trusted not only by Arteta but also respected by younger teammates. His ability to adapt has been vital in navigating an injury crisis that might have derailed other teams.

Arsenal’s dominance in Prague was total. Slavia struggled to cope with the Gunners’ high pressing and intelligent movement. Declan Rice dictated tempo from midfield, recycling possession with authority, while Saka and Trossard stretched the Czech side’s defense wide open. Defensively, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães maintained the same solidity that has defined Arsenal’s record-breaking defensive run. Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, returning between the posts, was largely untroubled but made one sharp save midway through the second half to preserve the clean sheet.

This victory also carried emotional weight for Arteta, who has been under pressure to deliver silverware after Arsenal’s heavy summer investment of more than £250 million. “You have to invent options,” Arteta said with a smile when asked about Merino’s new role. “You can always find solutions if you are willing to be creative. Mikel hadn’t played there before in his career, but we had that experience last season, and we believed tonight was the perfect opportunity for him to perform.”

The manager’s ingenuity has certainly been tested. Injuries to Gyokeres and Havertz have left Arsenal without a traditional striker for much of the season. Yet their attacking fluency has hardly diminished. Saka’s consistency, Trossard’s work rate, and the tactical flexibility of players like Merino have allowed the team to stay fluid and unpredictable in the final third.

Merino’s story is, in many ways, symbolic of Arteta’s entire project at Arsenal—a blend of tactical innovation, mental resilience, and trust in versatile footballers willing to play outside their comfort zones. Since signing from Real Sociedad, Merino has grown into one of the Premier League’s most complete midfielders. Now, as a makeshift forward, he continues to redefine what adaptability means in modern football.

Slavia Prague, by contrast, never found a way into the game. Their defensive shape faltered under Arsenal’s relentless movement, and their attacking efforts were stifled before they could build momentum. The result leaves them bottom of the group and facing an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages.

For Arsenal, the focus now shifts back to domestic matters. They sit top of the Premier League, remain alive in the Carabao Cup, and are emerging as genuine contenders across all fronts. The combination of depth, spirit, and tactical clarity is proving decisive—and with players like Merino stepping up in crucial moments, the Gunners’ ambitions look more achievable than ever.

Arteta summed up the mood perfectly: “It’s not about who’s missing. It’s about who’s ready to step up. This team has shown incredible unity and fight, and that’s what makes me proud.”

As Arsenal’s supporters celebrated another European triumph, the sight of Merino being serenaded by fans spoke volumes. From emergency solution to match-winning hero, his performance in Prague was a reminder that great teams are often defined by their capacity to adapt—and their willingness to believe.