Arsenal target knockout stage security against Slavia Prague




Arsenal will look to continue their flawless Champions League campaign when they visit Slavia Prague on Tuesday evening, aiming to build on Saturday’s commanding win at Burnley.

Mikel Arteta’s side are in irresistible form, having recorded nine consecutive victories in all competitions and kept seven successive clean sheets.Their 2-0 triumph at Turf Moor, secured through goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice, ensured they remain comfortably top of the Premier League.

Now attention turns to Europe, where Arsenal boast a perfect record so far in the league phase. They have won all three matches without conceding a goal, including a ruthless 4-0 demolition of Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium last time out.

The Gunners have been clinical at both ends of the pitch, scoring freely from open play and set pieces while displaying exceptional defensive organisation. Only Inter Milan share their record of not conceding in the competition, highlighting Arsenal’s growing maturity on the continental stage.

Arteta’s men have also enjoyed consistent success against Czech opposition, winning eight of their ten previous meetings and never losing. Their last encounter with Slavia came in the 2020-21 Europa League quarter-finals, when Arsenal ran out emphatic 4-0 winners in Prague.

However, Arteta is unlikely to allow complacency. Slavia are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions and remain top of the Czech league. They have also kept five consecutive clean sheets, suggesting Tuesday’s clash could be more competitive than the group standings might imply.

Jindrich Trpisovsky’s side are yet to win in this season’s Champions League but have shown resilience, earning two draws from three matches. Their only defeat came against Inter Milan, and they recently secured a goalless draw away to Atalanta, a result that boosted their confidence.

Slavia’s strong home form will also be a factor. They have scored in 26 of their last 27 European home games, a record that ensures Arsenal cannot take the occasion lightly despite their superiority on paper.

For Arsenal, the match offers another opportunity to extend their winning streak and underline their credentials as serious contenders in both domestic and European competition.

Arteta may rotate his side slightly, with Gyokeres’ fitness to be assessed after his early withdrawal at Burnley, but squad depth should keep standards high.

Victory in Prague would move Arsenal closer to securing automatic progression to the Champions League knockout stage and maintain momentum heading into a crucial run of fixtures.

Given their current rhythm, few would bet against them extending their remarkable run.



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