Arsenal Set Club Record After 2-1 Champions League Victory Over Slavia Prague

Arsenal Set Club Record After 2-1 Champions League Victory Over Slavia Prague

Arsenal extended their record-breaking unbeaten away run in the UEFA Champions League to 10 matches after securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Slavia Prague on Wednesday night.

The Premier League side overcame a spirited second-half performance from the Czech champions to claim all three points at the Fortuna Arena and move up to third in the Champions League league-phase standings.

The victory also marked Arsenal’s third win in four matches in the competition, keeping Mikel Arteta’s men unbeaten in this season’s campaign.

The Gunners made a strong start, taking the lead through Noni Madueke in the ninth minute before Viktor Gyökeres doubled their advantage shortly before half-time.

Gyökeres was instrumental in the opening goal, setting up Madueke before getting on the scoresheet himself in the 38th minute.

ALSO READ : Osimhen, Lookman Miss Out as CAF Unveils 2026 Men’s Player of the Year Shortlist

Arsenal appeared comfortable heading into the break, but Slavia Prague returned with greater intensity and put the visitors under sustained pressure.

The home side eventually reduced the deficit through Wiktor Nowak in the 90th minute, setting up a tense finish.

Arsenal were forced to defend deeply during the closing stages, with goalkeeper David Raya producing important saves while Gabriel Magalhães made a crucial goal-line clearance to preserve the lead.

Despite the late pressure, Arteta’s side held on to secure their place among the leading teams in the competition.

Arsenal extend European away record

The result extended Arsenal’s unbeaten away run in the Champions League to 10 matches, the longest such sequence in the club’s history.

The Gunners have also maintained an impressive overall record in the competition, extending their unbeaten run in regular time to 19 matches.

According to Opta statistics, Arsenal have won 23 Champions League matches since the 2024/25 season, with only Paris Saint-Germain recording more victories in the same period.

The victory in Prague further underlined the club’s growing consistency in European football under Arteta.

Slavia Prague equal unwanted Champions League record

While Arsenal celebrated another European milestone, the defeat represented a historic setback for Slavia Prague.

The Czech club have now gone 23 consecutive Champions League matches without a victory, equalling the longest winless run in the history of the European Cup and Champions League.

ALSO READ : NPFL Hands Rivers United ₦15m Suspended Fine, Threatens Three-Point Deduction Over Broadcast Dispute

The record had previously been shared by AEK Athens and FCSB, formerly known as Steaua Bucharest.

Slavia’s manager, Jindřich Trpišovský, also set an unwanted individual record, having gone 18 consecutive Champions League matches without a victory, surpassing the previous mark of 17 held by former Spartak Moscow manager Oleg Romantsev.

The defeat leaves Slavia still searching for their first victory in this season’s league phase.

Arsenal maintain push for automatic qualification

Arsenal’s victory moves them into third position in the league-phase standings, strengthening their prospects of securing automatic qualification for the round of 16.

Under the Champions League’s current format, the top eight teams at the end of the league phase qualify directly for the round of 16, while clubs finishing between ninth and 24th enter the knockout play-offs.

With several fixtures still remaining, Arsenal will be keen to maintain their momentum and avoid dropping points as the competition progresses.

For Arteta, however, the second-half performance in Prague will provide lessons despite the positive result, particularly after Slavia created significantly more opportunities following the interval.

The Gunners have secured the points and extended their European record, but their ability to maintain control throughout matches will remain important as they pursue another deep run in the competition.