Mikel Arteta feels Arsenal still has “plenty to learn” following their narrow 2-1 victory against Slavia Prague in the Champions League.
It seemed Arsenal would secure an easy win when Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres found the net in the first half, giving the team a solid lead.
Despite Mikel Merino’s missed opportunities before halftime, which could have been costly, Arsenal came under pressure after the break and struggled with their performance.
Wiktor Nowak delivered a late goal for Slavia in the 90th minute, but Arsenal was fortunate to maintain their lead; Mojmir Chytil’s shot was cleared off the line while David Raya made an impressive save against Oskar Kubiak’s header, which struck the post.
In the second half, Slavia managed 17 attempts on goal, matching the record for the most in a single half against Arteta’s Arsenal in a Champions League encounter—previously set by Sporting CP in November 2024. Their expected goals (xG) of 2.11 marked the highest any team has achieved against Arsenal in a single half since the 2023-24 season.
Despite the shaky second half, Arsenal secured three points, keeping their unbeaten start in the Champions League intact. This season, they have already won 13 matches across all competitions, the highest among clubs in Europe’s top five leagues, alongside Barcelona and Real Madrid.
However, Arteta expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s second-half display and is keen to improve.
“It’s essential to recognize the challenge of winning away in the Champions League,” Arteta told TNT Sports. “It’s very difficult.
“The two halves were drastically different. We should have scored three or four times in the first half, but we failed. At the beginning of the second half, we were sloppy and gave the ball away too easily, which forced us to suffer. There’s a lot we need to address.
“We should have capitalized in the first half, and if we didn’t, we needed to rectify that in the second half.
“We made six changes [to the starting lineup from the win over Liverpool], but I trust the quality of our players. Whether we were lacking something, I can’t say, but I would make the same decisions again.
“I appreciate what the team has achieved; we’ve played 11 away games now.”
Job done in Prague https://t.co/qTzno2ZLWv
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 4, 2026
Since the start of the 2024-25 season, only Paris Saint-Germain (25) has won more Champions League matches than Arsenal (23).
Though the Gunners have faced Czech teams seven times without a loss (W6 D1), this marks the first instance they conceded while playing in the Czech Republic.
Raya played a crucial role in Arsenal’s win and echoed Arteta’s sentiments about the contrasting halves.
“In the first half, we were exceptional,” he told TNT Sports. “We created numerous opportunities and could have scored even more. The second half was a different story. They increased their intensity and made it challenging for us, and we need to learn from that. We’re happy with the victory, but there’s room for improvement as we move ahead.
“They might have pressed us more aggressively. We had too many turnovers, especially near the goal. We need to manage those transitions better and aim for the third and fourth goals.
“Ultimately, it’s about taking the three points.”
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer enthusiasts as it highlights the challenges top teams face despite their successes, showcasing the competitive nature of the Champions League. Arsenal’s ability to adapt and improve in high-pressure situations could play a crucial role in their quest for European glory this season.
Source: www.soccernews.com
