3 standout players from Arsenal's 3-0 win away to Slavia Prague in UCL

A forward line led by a versatile squad member playing out of position turned on the style to help Arsenal overpower Slavia Prague by a 3-0 scoreline in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, November 4. Mikel Merino found the net twice as a makeshift striker in place of injured Viktor Gyökeres, while Bukayo Saka proved efficient from the penalty spot to open the scoring.

Saka was called upon to convert from 12 yards after a contentious handball decision went against the hosts in first-half stoppage time. The incident may have been harsh on Slavia, but the Gunners probably merited a slice of good fortune for their endeavour, enterprise and physicality on foreign soil.

A lot of the best work came from the final member of Arsenal's front three. Leandro Trossard used all of his experience, pace and technique to cause the home side problems in a variety of ways.

Trossard's most telling contribution was to lift a precise cross for Merino to turn goalwards via a cushioned touch. The combination of a cross met by a final touch from Merino was repeated on 68 minutes, albeit with a helping hand from Slavia goalkeeper Jakub Markvoič, to complete a fine night's work for Arsenal's attack.

Here are the standouts from a comfortable win for the Gunners in Europe.

1. Mikel Merino

There's no better place to start than with an appreciation of Merino's efforts in a tough situation. He was tasked with filling in for Gyökeres, the high-priced striker Arsenal had longed for, who was just beginning to find his form after some initial struggles.

Gyökeres was signed to be a physical presence, and that's just what Merino provided here as a bullish menace who never gave the Slavia back five a moment of respite. While his second goal owed a lot to his relentless, scrappy and muscular style of play, the first finish was the real standout moment from Merino's night.

It looked simple, but the touch to meet Trossard's delivery was a controlled one. Controlled is also a good word to describe how Merino held his run between two defenders.

This was classic centre-forward play from a natural midfielder. A goal like this explains why Merino has the trust of manager Mikel Arteta to lead the line in emergencies.

2. Leandro Trossard

He's not as direct as Gabriel Martinelli, nor can Trossard match the Brazilian's natural talent as a finisher, but what the former Brighton & Hove Albion man can do is be effective in more ways. Trossard's able to win as an out-and-out winger, the way he did to tee up Merino, but he can also drift central and add some neatness and flair to Arsenal's general possession play.

What's not normally associated with Trossard's game is being any kind of aerial threat in dead-ball situations. Yet, Arsenal's set-piece guru Nicolas Jover came some up with something new for Trossard.

Actually, it was more like something old with a twist. Specifically, Trossard was the focus of the familiar Arsenal near-post corner routine. Check your history if you don't know, but doff your cap to George Graham, Tony Adams and Steve Bould if your memory still serves you well.

This time it was far from towering Trossard getting across the front stick to flick on a pair of corners lifted in by Declan Rice. Both touches from the Belgian caused problems, so Trossard could become a more regular feature in the most common route to goal for this Arsenal team.

3. Bukayo Saka

The familiar direct pace of Saka gave Slavia all they could handle, but there was also a pleasing subtlety about the way Arsenal's wing wizard went about his work. Saka didn't simply restrict himself to hugging the right flank or cutting inside onto his left foot too often.

Those things usually work a treat for the Gunners' No. 7, but Saka mixed things up smartly. He did so by making more than a few angled runs through the middle.

Saka's central leanings showed a different element to his game. One that could give Arteta an intriguing solution if Arsenal remain without a true striker for too long.

For now, Arteta can rely on Saka to keep his composure from the spot, something he did to register another club first, according to Squawka. Finding the net in four-straight matches away from home in Europe's premier club competition underlines Saka's importance to Arsenal's still frustratingly unfulfilled pursuit of this trophy.