Arsenal match 105-year-old record with clean sheet in comfortable win vs Slavia Prague
Arsenal extended their dominant start to the season with a 3-0 away victory over Slavia Prague in the UEFA Champions League 2025‑26 group stage.
A first-half penalty converted by Bukayo Saka in the 32nd minute put Arsenal ahead, before Mikel Merino struck twice in the second half to seal the win. Merino had been deployed in a makeshift striker role amid injury absences, and his brace highlighted his versatility.
The victory also carried significant historical weight: Arsenal registered their eighth consecutive clean sheet across all competitions, thus matching a club record set back in 1903.
Additionally, it marked Arsenal’s tenth straight win in all competitions and kept their perfect four-from-four start in the Champions League group.
On the night, there was also a landmark off the pitch: Arsenal introduced 15-year-old Max Dowman late in the match, making him the youngest ever player to feature in the Champions League at 15 years and 308 days.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised the defensive discipline displayed by his side and said the team’s mindset, not just the record, was what pleased him most. “The most pleasing thing probably is not the record, it’s the mindset of the players,” he said.
Slavia Prague, meanwhile, will leave without a win from their group so far, and their early energy in the opening 10–15 minutes did not translate into meaningful threats. One potential penalty for the hosts was overturned by VAR late in the match, preserving Arsenal’s shut-out.