Gyokeres stars as Arsenal see off Slavia Prague

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WHILE the pre-match illuminations caught the eye, it was Viktor Gyokeres who provided the fireworks with the Arsenal striker grabbing a goal and an assist during their 2-1 Champions League victory over Slavia Prague.

In front of a sellout attendance of 19,308 in the Czech capital on Wednesday evening, the 28-year-old forward scored the Gunners second goal seven minutes before the interval, after providing a perceptive assist for Noni Madueke to put the Premier League champions ahead early on.

The victory moved Mikel Arteta’s side into third place, while making it ten away games unbeaten in the competition, which despite a dominant first half display, saw the home side rally after the break, albeit to only have Wiktor Nowak’s 90th minute strike as consolation for their improved efforts.

Speaking after the match, Arteta said: “Two very different halves…we should have scored three, four or five.”

However, it was a different story after the break, with Arteta adding: “At half-time, the message was clear. There was still a lot to do in the game - this was a team we were up against with huge spirit, and if you give them something, they will grab it.

“It was far from what we expect from each other, but we found a way to hold onto the result and win the game.”

On a cold evening in compelling Prague, Arteta made six changes from the team that won at Anfield for the first time in 14 years on Sunday.

Madueke raced into the box to slot home to put the Gunners 1-0 ahead in the ninth minute after Gyokeres’ ball, which saw the Swede post his second Champions League assist in his last two games, following his deft touch for Declan Rice’s equaliser at Bayern Munich. While Madueke’s opener was his fourth Champions League strike, but his first since his brace at Bruges last December, as the visitors took control a year to the day since they beat the same opponents 3-0 at the same venue.

Gyokeres also had a shot saved by Slavia’s 19-year-old keeper Nazar Domchak, making his debut in the tournament a week after his domestic bow.

Arsenal doubled their lead on 38 minutes when Gyokeres fired home with an excellent finish after a one-two with Merino on the edge of the box to make it 2-0, as the Gunners went into the break firmly in command.

Shortly after the restart Oskar Kubiak tested David Raya who proved equal to the task to turn the ball away. 

As the clock ticked down, Kubiak forced a superb save from Raya who pushed the ball onto the post.

Thankfully for Arteta’s side the ball did not enter the net, even if Nowak’s 90th minute goal was nothing more than a consolation. 

The Gunners seeing out the five minutes of added time to leave the loyal travelling support satisfied, as Arsenal posted their third win from four matches in the competition this term.