Mikel Merino scored a brace and Bukayo Saka converted a penalty as Arsenal defeated Slavia Praha 3-0 to maintain a perfect start in the UEFA Champions League.

@OptaJoe: 8- Arsenal have won their last eight games in all competitions without conceding, a joint-record for an English top-flight club along with Preston in 1889 and Liverpool in 1920. Consistent.

The Gunners were without Victor Gyökeres who played only the first 45 minutes at Burnley. Mikel Merino deputised upfront, scoring twice. His first was within the first minute of the second half, directing a Trossard cross beyond the goalkeeper. Merino’s second goal was a deft header from a Declan Rice cross.

A set piece goal was always on the books. This time, it came from the spot in the first. Bukayo Saka converted after VAR spotted a handball in the box from a corner kick. Saka became the first Arsenal player to score in 4 consecutive matches in the Champions League.

XI: Raya, Timber (White 73′), Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie (Lewis-Skelly 73′), Nørgaard, Rice (Harriman-Annous 81′), Nwaneri (Eze 65′), Saka, Merino, Trossard (Dowman 72′).

Arteta handed Champions League debuts to Max Dowman and Andre Harriman-Annous. Dowman is now the youngest ever player to feature in the competition aged 15 years 308 days.

There was a penalty call in the 86th minute against Arsenal but it was overturned by VAR. Arsenal kept a clean sheet – 8th in a row for the first time since 1903.

No Zubimendi, Odegaard, Gyökeres, Martinelli, Havertz, Jesus or Madueke but the Gunners are matching on. With maximum points from 4 matches, the Gunners are top of the UCL table pending the results from other centres in the match week.