Who needs Gyokeres?! Merino makes his mark in UCL cruise

Goalkeeper & Defence

David Raya (6/10):

Slavia didn't manage a shot on target until deep into stoppage time, so his goal was pretty much unchallenged. Commanded his area well.

Jurrien Timber (6/10):

Saw surprisingly little of the ball in possession, with only 35 touches until being withdrawn after 73 minutes.

William Saliba (6/10):

One his easier nights after Slavia's early impetus seemed to fade after the opening 15 minutes.

Gabriel (7/10):

Typically made himself an attacking threat as much as he was a defensive force and was directly involved in winning the penalty that broke the deadlock.

Piero Hincapie (6/10):

Made his full Champions League debut for the Gunners. Departed the pitch shortly after being left in a heap but it appeared to be a planned substitution anyway.

Midfield

Ethan Nwaneri (6/10):

Made tidy use of the ball in midfield but struggled to impose himself physically.

Christian Norgaard (5/10):

Gave the ball away more easily than Arteta would have liked. Only won three of nine duels on the ground and in the air.

Declan Rice (8/10):

Completed more passes than anyone else and the pitch, and by extension created the most chances. Comes away with an assist for the ball into the box that gave Merino the second part of his brace.

Attack

Bukayo Saka (8/10):

Continues rising to the occasion and is now the first ever Arsenal player to score in four successive Champions League away games.

Mikel Merino (9/10):

Back in the No.9 role after Viktor Gyokeres wasruled out due to the injuryhe suffered against Burnley and repaid that faith from his manager. Probably couldn't believe how much space he was given when doubling Arsenal's lead, but crucially made sure to make the opportunity count. His second showed just as much striker's instinct. The ball didn't really stick when it was fired into him, but with two goals what does it matter?

Leandro Trossard (7/10):

Assist for Merino's goal aside, the Belgian was consistently involved in promising Arsenal attacks, including a previous attempted cross towards the stand-in striker that was only just cut out before it reached its mark.

Subs & Manager

Eberechi Eze (5/10):

Hardly involved off the bench.

Max Dowman (6/10):

This monumental season keeps getting better for the 15-year-old, who is now the youngest player in Champions League history.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (6/10):

On at left-back as Arteta looked to freshen things up for the final stages.

Ben White (5/10):

Both full-backs were replaced simultaneously, with White going to the right. VAR saved him from conceding a penalty.

Andre Harriman-Annous (6/10):

Another Champions League debut, but at 17 a relative veteran compared to Dowman.

Mikel Arteta (9/10):

Gyokeres made it seven injured players, plus Martin Zubimendi's suspension, so the boss really had to rely on his squad's depth for this one. Made other changes too, opting to rest Riccardo Calafiori and Eberechi Eze from the start. Everything worked as hoped and he coul then rotate again at 3-0 up.