Arsenal don enter history books again as dem equal one 122-year-old clean sheet record after dem beat Slavia Prague 3-0 for Champions League group stage match wey happen for Czech Republic.
Na Mikel Merino wey turn striker for night carry show for him head, as e score two goals wey help Arsenal secure comfortable win away from home.
For first 30 minutes, Arsenal no too show fire — Slavia Prague try press dem small but David Raya no get serious work do. But as usual, na set-piece goal open the matter.
Bukayo Saka slot penalty home after VAR confirm handball. Just 36 seconds into second half, Merino double the lead, and later use him head add the third goal wey seal everything for Arsenal side.
That win mean say Arsenal don now keep eight straight clean sheets for all competitions — the first time dem go do am since 1903 when dem still dey answer Woolwich Arsenal. Mikel Arteta boys still dey top of the 36-team Champions League league-phase table with perfect 12 points from 12, while Slavia Prague still dey bottom without a win.
TPB VERDICT — Arsenal No Dey Joke This Season
No Martin Ødegaard. No Gabriel Jesus. No Havertz. No Martinelli. No problem at all. Arsenal still dey roll like train wey no dey stop. Na Merino carry the second half like him be prime Giroud — sharp movement, solid finishing, and deadly headers. E show say Arsenal depth no be joke.
For first 30 minutes, dem no really settle, but Arteta team sabi hold ball and frustrate opponents till e sweet dem. Dem no even allow Slavia get one shot on target for that first half. That kind defensive control na wetin make this current Arsenal different. Eight clean sheets back-to-back no be luck — na system.
As dem prepare for Bayern Munich later this month, this Arsenal side look ready for both Premier League and Champions League title chase. The team dey flow with confidence and rhythm wey remind person of prime 2004 Wenger ball.
SLAVIA PRAGUE VS. ARSENAL HIGHLIGHTS
Bukayo Saka Goal (32’ – Slavia Prague 0-1 Arsenal)
VAR drama first enter the match as Gabriel Magalhães flick set-piece and ball touch Lukas Provod hand. Ref check monitor — penalty confirmed. Saka step up and bury am low into the bottom corner. Keeper guess right direction but no reach the ball. 1-0 Arsenal.
Mikel Merino Goal (46’ – Slavia Prague 0-2 Arsenal)
Second half never even settle when Arsenal double their lead. Leandro Trossard send sweet low cross enter box, and Merino calmly slot side-foot volley enter bottom corner. Smooth finish — pure composure.
Mikel Merino Goal (68’ – Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal)
Declan Rice with pinpoint delivery from midfield, and Slavia keeper Markovic misjudge the flight. Merino rise backward, flick header with style — goal number two for him, goal number three for Arsenal. Pure striker’s instinct.
MAN OF THE MATCH – MIKEL MERINO
Whether e dey play striker for Arsenal or midfield for Spain, Merino na baller. The man sabi time him runs and him finishing na clean. Two goals, constant movement, and proper link-up play — e prove say Arteta get serious tactical backup for injured forwards.
SLAVIA PRAGUE VS. ARSENAL MATCH STATS
- Possession: Slavia Prague 42% – 58% Arsenal
- Shots: Slavia Prague 8 – 14 Arsenal
- Shots on Target: Slavia Prague 1 – 8 Arsenal
- Corners: Slavia Prague 4 – 7 Arsenal
- Fouls: Slavia Prague 24 – 12 Arsenal
TPB STATS CORNER
Arsenal now don go 720 minutes without conceding — the longest run for any English club this season. Dem also don score 16 goals in their last six matches across all competitions. The balance between defence and attack dey perfect right now. Na real title form be this.
WHAT NEXT?
Next stop for Arsenal — Bayern Munich for the Champions League on November 26. Before then, dem go travel face Sunderland for Premier League clash this weekend. Slavia Prague on their side go return home to face Viktoria Plzen as dem still dey find their first win for Europe.
Na The Pidgin Blog go dey drop all the latest Arsenal gist — straight, raw, and real. No filters, no long grammar. Just football wey dey sweet for ear and make sense for street.
