Slavia Prague match Champions League record against Arsenal with 23rd straight loss

Slavia Prague’s second-half revival came too late to prevent a 2–1 home defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday, leaving the Czech champions with an unwanted share of a Champions League record.

First-half goals from Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyökeres put the English champions in control. Wiktor Nowak pulled one back in the 90th minute, but Slavia could not find an equalizer despite creating several opportunities after the break.

The result extended Slavia’s winless run in the competition’s group or league phase to 23 matches, matching the sequence recorded by Romania’s FCSB between 2006 and 2013. Slavia’s last victory at that stage came in 2007.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made six changes to the team that won at Liverpool on Sunday, but the visitors quickly established control in Eden.

Madueke opened the scoring in the ninth minute, collecting a pass from Gyökeres before entering the penalty area and shooting through goalkeeper Domčak’s legs.

The second goal followed a costly mistake by David Zima near Slavia’s penalty area. Mikel Merino found Gyökeres, whose finish went in off the far post.

Slavia failed to register a shot on target before halftime. Captain Tomáš Holeš said the dressing-room discussion included sharp words and an acknowledgment that the team needed to get much closer to its opponents.

Coach Jindřich Trpišovský made two substitutions and adjusted the formation at the interval.

“In the first half, we made mistakes that they punished. They were clearly better,” he told Nova Sport. “In the second half, our overall performance improved.”

The changes produced a more assertive display. Kubiak tested Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya shortly after the restart, while substitute Mojmír Chytil threatened with a header.

Raya later pushed another Kubiak header onto the post, preserving Arsenal’s two-goal advantage as Slavia increased the pressure.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the last minute of normal time, when Jurásek’s cross found its way through a crowd of players to Nowak, who finished into an open goal.

Slavia ultimately outshot Arsenal, but the visitors held on. Seznam Zprávy reported that supporters at the sold-out stadium applauded the home side’s recovery after the final whistle.

“We had too much respect for Arsenal,” Chytil said. “It’s a shame our goal didn’t come earlier.”

Slavia remain on one point after four matches, sitting 34th in the 36-team league phase. Arsenal moved to 10 points and third place.

The Prague club’s next opportunity to end its Champions League drought comes Nov. 25, when Villarreal visit Eden. Wednesday’s defeat also extended Slavia’s winless run across European competitions to 19 matches.