UCL: Mikel Arteta names one player Arsenal missed in routine win against Slavia Praha

Premier League leaders Arsenal extended their flawless Champions League run, securing a dominant 3-0 victory against Slavia Praha despite a deepening injury crisis in their attack. 

Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that the win gives the Gunners a perfect 12 points from four matches, solidifying their position atop the league phase table.

A makeshift forward line, spearheaded by two-goal hero Mikel Merino, dismantled the Czech side, who also paraded Nigerian star David Moses. 

Merino, stepping into the void left by a host of injured strikers, netted twice after Bukayo Saka opened the scoring from the penalty spot, giving the Spanish midfielder a "great performance" rating from his boss.

However, after a night that also saw 15-year-old Max Dowman make Champions League history as the competition's youngest-ever player, manager Mikel Arteta was quick to highlight a key player's absence.

Speaking after the match, Arteta admitted his side felt the loss of their star striker, Viktor Gyokeres, who was ruled out with a muscle injury sustained over the weekend.

Arteta also praised the overall result and performance from the Gunners, acknowledging the toughness of their opponents.

"It was a tough one. Slavia are very intense, very vertical, they play their game really very well,” he added. “We were very efficient and overall we had a very good evening."

While the Gunners continue to find solutions for their injury woes, the comments paint the true value of Gyokeres to this Arsenal side, even in victory. 

The focus now shifts to their upcoming trip to face Sunderland and former skipper Granit Xhaka, as the club awaits further news on Gyokeres' return date.