Five Champions League Takeaways after Arsenal beat Slavia Prague 

Here's Gooner Fanzine print columnist Charlie Ashmore with his take on Arsenal's Champions League win in Prague 

1 - Record setters

The first 15 year old ever to play in the Champions League made his bow, and it was of course none other than our very own Max Dowman.  Did he look out of place?  Did he heck.  Defenders seem unable to deal with him and cannot help but foul him in dangerous positions.  The future is very bright indeed.

And, eight consecutive clean sheets – for the first time since 1903.  Quite extraordinary.  When the penalty was given at the end, my heart sank and you could see the shock on the players’ faces.  However it quickly became apparent it had wrongly been given and we could all breathe a sight of relief.

Let’s make it nine at Sunderland.

2 - Watching football differently

I don’t know about anybody else but I have reached the point with this team where it’s not conceding goals that is my big fear, it’s conceding a shot on target. 

How ridiculous is it to be so annoyed not at the opposition scoring a goal but at them having the temerity to get a shot on target.  It’s bonkers. 

Even at our defensive peaks in the past, there was never a question of the opposition not being able to have shots on target – that’s what your goalkeeper was there for. 

Now, however this team are so stingy they are not prepared to let David Raya do his core job. 

I was gutted when despite Gabi’s terrific effort to block the shot they managed to get one looping shot on target, however unthreatening it may have been. 

That’s the defensive standard this team is setting though and it is a joy to behold. 

Great defending is (and should be) as pleasurable to watch in its own way as good attacking play  and I for one am loving it.

3 - Mikel Merino is genuine quality

I really don’t think he gets the credit he deserves as a footballer. 

The manner in which he has reinvented himself as a caretake striker is quite remarkable and is testament to his footballing intelligence, his innate ability and crucially his willingness to learn. 

For a player of his experience to be willing to adapt and learn in the way he has speaks volumes of his character. 

He is a clever player – just watch his movement and positioning next time he plays. 

Watch also the simplicity of a lot of what he does – but remember it only looks simple because of everything he has done up to the moment of the apparently simple act – like all the best players the real skill lies in making the complex look easy. 

4 - The squad….again

I think it bears repeating just who was unavailable to us against Slavia.

Even if you ignore Martin Zubimendi on the basis that it was a suspension, we were without Kai Havertz, Gabi Martinelli, Jesus, Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke. 

And yet we go away to a place where the home side have a formidable home record – unbeaten in any competition for 11 months  - and (after a tricky opening 15 minutes or so, let it be acknowledged), deliver a comfortable 3-0 win. 

The hope must be that we get most or all of these players back later this month for the tough run of games facing us then. 

Imagine the options we will have for Tottenham, Bayern and Chelsea with those players back. 

5 - A word for VAR

I have made no secret of my loathing for VAR.  

Yet I find myself asking whether, if it worked here like it does in Europe I would hate it quite as much.

Two penalty decisions made by the ref, both overturned with VAR’s help and it felt like the combined time taken to make the decisions was less than it takes our lot to make what to watching eyes look like simple decisions. 

Personally I felt the handball was harsh and I would be unhappy if it was given against us - but in Europe handball is basically strict liability as a defender. 

Even now it wouldn’t have been given here (though it would have taken five minutes not to give it). 

Why does it appear to operate so much more smoothly and less intrusively in Europe? 

It has to come down to the incompetence of the overseeing body namely PGMOL. 

Maybe it’s not Var I hate but PGMOL. 

Or maybe it’s both. One to ponder.

Read Charlie Ashmore's column in every print issue of the Gooner Fanzine. Buy our new issue here 

Fair play to the drummer from the Ashburton Army for relentlessly hammering away all night as Arsenal beat Slavia 3-0 here in Prague pic.twitter.com/NquPInzxyS

— Layth (@laythy29) November 4, 2025