Arsenal equalled an astonishing 122-year-old clean sheet record and Mikel Merino produced an attacking masterclass in a 3-0 Champions League league-phase victory away to Slavia Prague.
There was little to write home about on Arsenal's end during the first 30 minutes, where their Czech hosts showed a few glimpses of attacking promise, but nothing that would truly trouble David Raya.
However, the customary dead-ball Gunners goal arrived just past the half-hour mark via a Bukayo Saka penalty, before auxiliary striker Mikel Merino doubled the visitors' lead just 36 seconds into the second half.
The former Real Sociedad man then harnessed his aerial prowess to double his tally and bag Arsenal's third of the night, before the Gunners preserved their customary clean sheet thanks to a late Slavia spot kick being overturned on review.
Tuesday's result means that Arsenal have now kept eight straight clean sheets in all tournaments for just the second time in their history, after managing to do so as Woolwich Arsenal in 1903.
Ahead of the 8pm kickoffs, Mikel Arteta's side are now sitting pretty in first place in the 36-team league-phase table with a perfect 12 points from 12, while Jindrich Trpisovsky's Slavia sit 30th and are still searching for their first win
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT.
No Martin Odegaard. No Viktor Gyokeres. No Martin Zubimendi. No Gabriel Martinelli. No Kai Havertz. No Gabriel Jesus. No Noni Madueke.
No. Problem.
It has been said and will continue to be said for as long as Arsenal are on this magnificent run, but the Gunners' squad depth truly is something to behold, as the majestic Merino demonstrated in the second half tonight.
The Spaniard has sometimes looked awkward and out of place when starting as Arteta's focal point, but when he channels his inner number nine, he is a marvellous presence inside the penalty area and took his two goals with aplomb in Prague.
Arsenal did not have it all their own way in the opening phases of the game, but they did what they do better than anyone else during their slow first half hour - restrict the opposition from having a single shot on target.
Arteta's momentum train is running at full throttle ahead of Bayern Munich later this month, and in this form, there is nothing to suggest that Arsenal cannot compete for a phenomenal Premier League and Champions League double.
