Viktor Gyokeres reveals he nonetheless has an essential half to play for Arsenal after starring position in win over Slavia Prague as Mikel Arteta begins subsequent section of his masterplan, writes ISAAN KHAN

The next phase of Mikel Arteta’s season masterplan was seemingly 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.

Yet, as Viktor Gyokeres was making a compelling case for challenging Kai Havertz’s spot, Arteta’s backline decided to have a temporary, rare malfunction.

By full-time Slavia Prague’s winless streak in the Champions League had reached 23 games — the joint-worst ever in the competition alongside AEK Athens, despite a late onslaught which momentarily caused the visitors jitters. Slavia boosted their shot count up to 17, compared to Arsenal’s 12. The north London club had taken their eye off the ball having reached half-time two goals up.

David Raya was called upon for a world-class save, using his full frame to dive and deflect Oskar Kubiak’s header onto a post.

Wiktor Nowak then pulled a goal back on 90 minutes from inside the area having collected substitute David Jurasek’s pass to tap home near the goalline.

Nowak had another chance, as he went agonisingly close to a further Jurasek cross. Such laxness by Arsenal would be punished elsewhere in Europe, though they still remain unbeaten in the Champions League after four matches.

An annoyed Arteta said: ‘It was two very different halves. The first one, where we played at a really high level. It should have been three, four or five (goals).

‘Right from the beginning (of the second half), we were extremely far from our standards in everything that we had to do, in every concept.

‘I already mentioned a few things and some others that I will keep to myself.’

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 usually been imperious in defence.

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 No9.

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

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.

Yet, the two pieces of play Gyokeres 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 accidently 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 found 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.

Havertz is Arteta’s No1, 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.

Arteta made six changes to the Arsenal side that beat Liverpool at the weekend, with Merino earning a start on the ground where he exactly one year ago struck a second-half brace in Arsenal’s 3-0 victory against Slavia Prague last November.

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 and had Arteta fretting on the touchline. An extraordinary turnaround was in sight.

Nevertheless, the form of Gyokeres will be a positive Arteta can take from a night not at his usual standards.