Slavia Prague 1-2 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners survive late scare in Czechia

Arsenal survived a late onslaught from Slavia Prague to win 2-1 in the Champions League and take three points home from the Czech capital.

Mikel Arteta made six changes to the side that defeated Liverpool 1-0 last time out with Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyökeres, Mikel Merino, Martín Zubimendi, Piero Hincapié and Ben White coming in to the XI. Declan Rice captained the team while William Saliba made a long-awaited return to the bench.

The Gunners took the lead after just nine minutes when David Raya sent a ball long for Gyökeres to bring down and send Noni Madueke through on goal for him to set himself and fire in the opener.

Arsenal continued to push for a second with Merino missing two good chances to double his side's advantage, but he turned provider when they did ultimately make it two as he took a nice touch to play Gyökeres in down the left for the Swede to lift a neat finish in to the far corner.

Slavia looked for a way back in, but couldn't find in before the break as the Gunners took a two-goal lead at the halfway point.

After making changes at half-time, Slavia started the second-half as the better team with Oskar Kubiak testing Raya with his side's first shot on target before Konsa conceded a free kick right on the edge of the box, that was blocked by the wall.

Arsenal surprisingly couldn't take hold of the game again and continued to find themselves under pressure from the hosts. As the match approached its final stages, Raya stepped up to make a huge reflex save, tipping Kubiak's header on to the post.

Slavia did find a consolation in the 90th minute when David Jurásek sent a cross in to the box that was missed by everyone to sail through for Wiktor Nowak to fire in to an empty net from close range and make life nervy for the Gunners in stoppage time.

Arteta's side managed to see out the final minutes though to return to winning ways in Europe ahead of the international break.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their win at Slavia Prague.

Slavia Prague 1-2 Arsenal player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 7/10 - Played a superb long ball for Gyökeres to bring down and set up Madueke's opener. Tested with an effort from Kubiak, but got across well to save it. Dealt well with the sustained pressure from Slavia, including a great reflex save late on. Lost his clean sheet with the late consolation.

Ben White (RB) - 7/10 - Got involved in attacking moves well and almost had an assist for Merino, but the Spaniard couldn't convert. Subbed with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Ezri Konsa (CB) - 7/10 - Shown a yellow card for a diving challenge on the edge of the box before making a darting run all the way up the pitch, with his cross coming to nothing. Withdrawn just after the hour.

Gabriel (CB) - 7.5/10 - Saw a header cleared off the line to be denied his side's third of the night. Was then the hero for his team when he made two blocks on his own goal line to prevent Slavia getting back in the game.

Piero Hincapié (LB) - 7/10 - Like his opposite, he played his part in attack and was key in seeing out the win, but some defensive moments were better than others.

Midfielders

Martín Zubimendi (CM) - 7/10 - A solid shift in the middle of the park to show Arteta he can perform when called upon, but he will still have a lot more to do to break back in to the XI.

Declan Rice (CM) - 7.5/10 - Ran the show in midfield, especially in the first-half, and was involved in the build-up to his side's second. Picked up a yellow card for a foul on Sadilek. Continued to drive forward with the ball when his side had it.

Mikel Merino (AM) - 7/10 - Missed two great chances with headers from close range but made amends when he set up Gyökeres for the second. Moved up front for the final minutes, shortly after having a penalty shout against him waved away.

Forwards

Noni Madueke (RW) - 7/10 - Put his side in front with a good run and finish from close range. Enjoyed a good partnership with White to create chances, but his involvement faded as Slavia continued to press. Taken off in stoppage time.

Viktor Gyökeres (ST) - 7.5/10 - Held up the play to bring down Raya's pass and play Madueke through on goal. Added a second for his side with a fine lifted finish in to the far right corner. Replaced for the final stages.

Eberechi Eze (LW) - 7/10 - Linked up well with Merino to create chances, but the latter couldn't pull any off. Had some nice touches that helped him get round players and win fouls before being taken off after an hour.

Substitutes

Cristhian Mosquera (on 62' for Konsa) - 6.5/10

Christos Tzolis (on 62' for Eze) - 7/10

Martin Ødegaard (on 78' for Gyökeres) - 6.5/10

Jurrien Timber (on 78' for White) - 6.5/10

Max Dowman (on 90+3 for Madueke) - N/A

Player of the match: Viktor Gyökeres

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