Viktor Gyokeres shows he still has an important part to play for Arsenal after starring role in win over Slavia Prague as Mikel Arteta begins next phase of his masterplan, writes ISAAN KHAN

The next phase of Mikel Arteta’s season masterplan is fully underway: get the Arsenal frontline firing.

The plaudits for a defence which has conceded just eight goals across the Premier League and Champions League are well endorsed.

Even without William Saliba, who made the squad for the first time this season following a back injury sustained at the World Cup in July, the Gunners have been imperious in defence; Ezri Konsa has been part of the answer.

It’s their attack which has its fair share of holes, not helped by Bukayo Saka’s thigh injury and the lack of an in-form No 9.

Yet, a bit of love and persistence can do wonders for a striker — and could be the antidote Arteta needs to rejuvenate Viktor Gyokeres, who caused Slavia Prague a migraine with both his footwork and finishing.

By full-time, Slavia’s winless streak in the Champions League had reached 23 games, stretching back to their first-ever fixture in 2007.

Noni Madueke celebrates scoring the opener for Arsenal against Slavia Prague

Viktor Gyokeres netted the second for the Gunners with this curling effort

Behind the Bane mask Gyokeres figuratively wears in his celebrations lies a man whose confidence has taken more than a knock or two.

Having struck 21 goals across all competitions last season, the Swede has largely occupied the bench in the current campaign, Mikel Arteta wedded to using Kai Havertz up front.

Yet, the two pieces of play the Swede executed on a chilly Prague evening showcased just why he has an important part to play this season for Arsenal.

David Raya’s aerial punt accidentally found its way to Gyokeres, following a defensive mishap, which the striker chested down.

Instead of recycling the ball — an easier option for a man still finding his way — he went for the maverick option, producing a well-executed flick-on which reached Noni Madueke.

The winger reached the area, fending a defender off, before coolly slotting home.

Then before the break, Gyokeres had a goal of his own. After a neat one-two with Declan Rice, the Swede stormed into the box, before curling the ball in off the post from inside the area.

For all his deficiencies and limited chances thus far, the moment felt important for a striker who has now struck two goals and three assists in his past five appearances.

Mikel Arteta made six changes to the Arsenal side that beat Liverpool at the weekend

Havertz is Arteta’s No 1, but one striker won’t be enough to properly sustain a campaign by which the league title and a first Champions League trophy in the club’s history are viable aims.

Even Madueke, enjoying a prolonged run on the right wing in Saka’s absence, was in inspired form.

You felt sorry for full back Oskar Kubiak who, like his fellow defenders, was run ragged. Madueke constantly danced into the final third, using his pace and dribbling ability to set Arsenal on many an attack.

The winger’s goal was well-taken, and a reflection that Arteta’s abilities to make fringe squad members feel included will go some way towards achieving his silverware aims.

After the embarrassment endured last week at the hands of League Two Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup, the Gunners got off to a fast start.

Just like in the Premier League, Arsenal are running rampant in Europe, too, unbeaten in their last 10 away matches in the Champions League stretching back to May 2025.

Arteta made six changes to the Arsenal side that beat Liverpool at the weekend. It was the inclusion of Declan Rice which felt awkward, though. Last season, Arteta arguably gave the England man far too many minutes, even when he was already tiring.

The midfielder made 55 appearances in all competitions, enduring 49 starts and 4,454 minutes. That was 91 per cent of Arsenal’s available minutes when he was available.

Merino earned a start, too, on a ground where he exactly one year ago struck a second-half brace in Arsenal’s 3-0 victory against Slavia Prague last November.

Daniel Toula scored late on for Slavia Prague but they were unable to find an equaliser

Merino had his shot tipped over the bar after Madueke’s opener, the pressure already being felt by the home side.

Eberechi Eze went on a jinking run, featuring a nutmeg to the delight of the visiting fans, and it was all getting rather open.

The Gunners were close to going three goals up, Gabriel’s effort cleared off the line after Nazar Domchak spilled the ball.

Slavia suddenly came to life in the final minutes, Wiktor Nowak pulling a goal back on 90 minutes from inside the area having collected substitute David Jurasek’s pass to tap home.

Raya had minutes earlier tipped a strike on to the post, with the visitors desperate for another goal.

Nevertheless, the form of Gyokeres will leave Arteta equally satisfied.