Saliba injury return headlined Arsenal's team news in Prague, where Mikel Arteta's side beat Slavia Prague 2-1 at the Fortuna Arena to stay unbeaten in the Champions League. The defender was named in a matchday squad for the first time this season following his back injury, but he did not come off the bench.
Arsenal, runners-up last term, scored twice in a one-sided first half through Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres and looked set for a comfortable night. Arteta made six changes from Sunday's 1-0 win over Liverpool.
Saliba injury return
William Saliba was listed among the substitutes and stayed there for the full 90 minutes, watching a game that turned sharply after the interval. His availability gives Arteta a further option in central defence, though the source report gives no indication of how many minutes he is ready to play.
Arsenal needed a goal-line clearance from Gabriel Magalhaes and several saves from David Raya to protect the result, with Raya brilliantly pushing an Oskar Kubiak header against the post shortly before Slavia's goal.
Arsenal's first-half control
Madueke opened the scoring when Gyokeres put him through on goal and he finished coolly. Gyokeres added the second with a curling finish after combining with Mikel Merino, and Arsenal then missed chances to extend their lead before the break.
The visitors' dominance did not survive half-time. Slavia changed from a back four to a back three, committed more bodies forward and tested Arsenal's resolve with a succession of chances.
Slavia Prague's second-half surge
Slavia had 17 shots in the second half, having managed only one before the break. Wiktor Nowak's late goal from close range set up a nervous finale, and Arsenal had to hang on through the closing stages.
The win is Arsenal's third in four Champions League games and lifts them to third in the league phase table. For Slavia, the second-half response was a reminder of how quickly the tie shifted once their shape changed.
Analysis: Gyokeres finding form
This section is analysis. Gyokeres did not score in his first 10 appearances of the season for Arsenal, but his finish in Prague makes it two goals in his last three, following his effort in the Carabao Cup tie against Fleetwood Town last week.
He will need to produce against stronger opposition to prove he should displace Kai Havertz as Arteta's first-choice No 9. This was still an encouraging display: the pass around the corner for Madueke created the opener, and his link play with his back to goal brought others into the game.
The report was published by skysports.com.
