By Sohaib Shams
Viktor Gyokeres made the most of a rare start with an assist and a goal as Arsenal secured a 2-1 victory over Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday. The win lifted the Gunners to third place in the league phase table.
Gyokeres shines on rare start
Gyokeres, making only his sixth start of the season, set up Noni Madueke's ninth-minute opener after muscling his marker off the ball and playing a pass into space. The England winger raced clear and slotted past goalkeeper Nazar Domchak. Gyokeres then doubled Arsenal's lead just before half-time, exchanging passes with Mikel Merino before clipping a finish across Domchak and in off the far post for his first Champions League goal from open play since January.
Arsenal survive late pressure
Manager Mikel Arteta made six changes from the side that beat Liverpool, with Ben White, Piero Hincapie, Martin Zubimendi, Merino, Eberechi Eze and Max Dowman all starting. Arsenal controlled much of the match but faced a nervy finish after Wiktor Nowak pulled a goal back for Slavia in stoppage time. David Raya made crucial saves, including a full-stretch stop to push Oskar Kubiak's header onto the post, and the VAR ruled out a potential penalty for a clash of heads between Merino and Nowak.
