Arsenal and Man City win away: Gyokeres shines in Prague, Haaland haunts Leipzig again
Arsenal held on to beat Slavia Prague 2-1 and Manchester City won 3-2 at RB Leipzig as both English clubs collected Champions League away wins.
Two Premier League sides went to central Europe on Wednesday night and both came home with three points. Arsenal beat Slavia Prague 2-1 to stay unbeaten, while Manchester City edged RB Leipzig 3-2 thanks to another late Erling Haaland goal against his favourite opponents. Both matches kicked off at 4am Malaysia time on Thursday.
Slavia Prague 1-2 Arsenal: a game of two halves
Mikel Arteta made six changes from the 1-0 Premier League win over Liverpool on Sunday, and his reshuffled side started superbly. Viktor Gyokeres, handed a rare start, slipped Noni Madueke through for the opener on nine minutes and then scored himself on 38 minutes after a one-two with Mikel Merino.
Slavia managed just one shot in the first half but came out transformed, firing 17 at goal after the restart. Gabriel cleared a header off the line and David Raya saved the follow-up on 75 minutes, and Raya pushed an Oskar Kubiak header onto the post eight minutes later. Wiktor Nowak finally beat him in the 90th minute, but Arsenal held out.
Arteta admitted his team were sloppy after the break and gave the ball away too often. William Saliba was an unused substitute, his first involvement in a matchday squad this season after a back injury.
The win moves Arsenal to third on 10 points. Opta figures show their unbeaten run in the Champions League now stands at 19 games, while Slavia's winless run in the European Cup has reached 23 matches, equalling the competition's longest. Gyokeres now has 16 goal involvements (12 goals, four assists) in 25 Champions League appearances.
RB Leipzig 2-3 Manchester City: Haaland settles it
City, coached by Enzo Maresca, arrived in Germany after a Premier League defeat to Brighton on Saturday and were under pressure early. Leipzig carved out chances through Christoph Baumgartner and Antonio Nusa, but it was City who led on 37 minutes when Castello Lukeba turned the ball into his own net.
The second half was wild. Ridle Baku levelled from a tight angle on 49 minutes, Enzo Fernandez headed City back in front from Iliman Ndiaye's cross on 58 minutes, and Nusa equalised again three minutes later with a low shot.
The introduction of Jeremy Doku lifted City, and on 78 minutes Elliot Anderson's low cross was turned in from close range by Haaland. David Raum hit the crossbar for Leipzig and Rayan Cherki struck the woodwork at the other end in a frantic finish.
It was Haaland's 13th goal in nine appearances against Leipzig, more than he has scored against any other club. "I think it is the most I have scored against a club," he told reporters. City climb to seventh on nine points.
The Premier League picture in Europe
Both wins strengthen English hopes in the top-eight race, though Liverpool's 3-2 defeat at Fenerbahce on the same night was a reminder of how quickly things can change. With four matchdays left, the top eight qualify directly for the round of 16, and places nine to 24 go into play-offs.
Up next on Matchday 5
Both clubs are at home on Tuesday 24 November. Arsenal host Borussia Dortmund and City welcome Napoli, with kick-offs at 9pm CET, which is 4am on Wednesday 25 November in Malaysia.
Key takeaways
- Arsenal won 2-1 in Prague through Madueke and Gyokeres, surviving a second-half Slavia fightback.
- Arsenal are third on 10 points and unbeaten in 19 Champions League games.
- Man City won 3-2 at Leipzig, with Haaland scoring the 78th-minute winner.
- Haaland has 13 goals in nine games against Leipzig; City are seventh on nine points.
- Arsenal v Dortmund and City v Napoli are at 4am MYT on 25 November.
FAQ
Who scored for Arsenal against Slavia Prague? Noni Madueke (9') and Viktor Gyokeres (38') scored for Arsenal. Wiktor Nowak pulled one back for Slavia in the 90th minute.
Who scored Man City's winner against RB Leipzig? Erling Haaland scored the winner on 78 minutes from Elliot Anderson's cross. City's other goals were a Castello Lukeba own goal and an Enzo Fernandez header.
What time are Arsenal and Man City's next Champions League games in Malaysia? Both play on 24 November at 9pm CET, which is 4am on Wednesday 25 November in Malaysia.
Sources: Sky Sports, The Analyst, Yahoo Sports, Sports Mole, UEFA