Arsenal held off a second-half fightback from Slavia Prague to win 2-1 at the Fortuna Arena and continue their unbeaten start to the season in the Champions League. The Gunners, runners-up last term, appeared on course for an emphatic victory after scoring twice through Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres in a one-sided first half. But Slavia roared back into the contest in the second period and gave Arsenal a scare as Wiktor Nowak's late goal from close range set up a nervous finale for Mikel Arteta's side.
Arsenal hung on to claim their third win in four Champions League games but needed a goal-line clearance from Gabriel Magalhaes and several saves from David Raya, who brilliantly pushed an Oskar Kubiak header against the post shortly before Slavia's goal. Slavia had 17 shots in the second half, having only had one before the break as Arsenal were made to work for a result which looked a foregone conclusion after their dominant start. Arteta freshened up his side with six changes from Sunday's 1-0 win over Liverpool and Arsenal scored their early opener when Madueke finished coolly having been put through on goal by Gyokeres.
The striker added the second with a sumptuous, curling finish after combining with Mikel Merino but Arsenal missed chances to extend their lead before the break and Slavia responded. A switch from a back four to a back three allowed the hosts to commit more bodies forward and they created a succession of chances as Arsenal were made to sweat for their victory, which sees them move up to third in the league phase table. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m!
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