# Slavia's domestic revival has yet to reach Europe Slavia Prague have won their last domestic match 5-0 but remain without a Champions League victory in 22 consecutive matches. Arsenal arrive with an 18-match unbeaten European run, although Bukayo Saka is unavailable and William Saliba's return gives Mikel Arteta another selection decision. Preview · Champions League Editorial board · 4 November 2026 - Slavia Prague v Arsenal - Kick-off: 2026-11-04 20:00 UTC - Ground: Fortuna Arena - Status: To come Slavia Prague have built a strong domestic side, but their European performances remain a different story. Their Champions League winless run has reached 22 matches, stretching back to their first victory in the competition in 2007. The gap between their domestic authority and European results is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Their latest European campaign has followed a familiar pattern. Slavia lost 3-2 at home to Lens after conceding twice in stoppage time, then suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Sabah. A 2-2 draw at Fenerbahçe offered some relief, with Pavel Kacor scoring in the 90th minute after the Czech side had fallen two goals behind. Another failure to win would take their sequence to 23 matches and equal the longest winless run in European Cup and Champions League history. Arsenal arrive with a different European record. They have gone 18 Champions League matches without defeat, winning 13 and drawing five, while keeping 11 clean sheets and conceding only nine goals. Their 1-0 victory at Liverpool also reinforced their position among the leading sides in England. Mikel Arteta has praised Slavia's coaching and competitive mentality, recognising the difficulty of facing a team that has worked under Jindřich Trpišovský for almost a decade. The visitors will be without Bukayo Saka, but Saliba's return to full training and his inclusion in the travelling squad provide another option at the back. His availability does not guarantee a start, particularly after such a lengthy absence. For Slavia, the challenge is to make their attacking energy count before Arsenal establish control. Their direct approach and ability to move the ball forward quickly could create opportunities, but sustaining that threat against an organised defence will be considerably harder. ## Our call Arsenal should extend their European unbeaten run by controlling the middle third and limiting Slavia's direct attacks. ## Coming in Slavia's latest result was a convincing 5-0 victory away to Jablonec, continuing a productive domestic spell that contrasts with their European difficulties. They have also taken a point from Fenerbahçe in their latest Champions League outing. Arsenal have won three of their last five competitive matches, including the 1-0 victory at Liverpool and wins over Everton and Nottingham Forest. They drew with Bayern Munich and Fleetwood Town, with the latter match ending in a penalty-shootout defeat. ## Between them Arsenal have won three and drawn two of their five competitive meetings with Slavia Prague. Their record includes a 7-0 victory in 2007, a 4-0 away win in 2021 and a 3-0 victory in Prague last season; they have never lost to the Czech side. ## The hinge Slavia must turn their direct attacking transitions into sustained pressure before Arsenal settle into possession; otherwise, the visitors' defensive organisation should limit the threat of the home side's attacking approach. ## Missing Arsenal will be without Bukayo Saka because of a thigh injury. William Saliba has returned to full training and travelled with the squad, although his participation remains uncertain. Slavia Prague will be without Tomáš Chorý following internal disciplinary action, while Elias Piták, Ivan Schranz, Hamidou Kante and Bryan Ouanda have been reported as long-term absentees. Ange N'Guessan is being monitored after leaving the Jablonec match with an injury.