PSV vs Arsenal Report

Scorers:Lang 43’ (P); Timber 18’, Nwaneri 21’, Merino 31’, Ødegaard 47’, 73’, Trossard 48’, Calafiori 85’

Arsenal all but sealed their place in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarter-finals with a dominant 7-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven at the Philips Stadion.

The emphatic result marks the Gunners’ first win at this venue after failing to triumph in their previous four visits.

First Half: Arsenal Punish PSV Defensive Errors

The Gunners started brightly, but Declan Rice had an early goal ruled out for offside. PSV then had a golden chance to take the lead when Ivan Perišić’s low cross forced David Raya into a poor clearance, but Ismael Saibari struck the crossbar before Ryan Flamingo missed the rebound.

That let-off proved costly as Arsenal struck first in the 20th minute. Rice picked out Jurriën Timber at the back post, and the Dutchman headed home to silence the home crowd.

The floodgates then opened, with Myles Lewis-Skelly setting up Ethan Nwaneri for a clinical finish just three minutes later. The 17-year-old became the third-youngest scorer in a UCL knockout match.

Arsenal extended their lead in the 34th minute after a defensive mix-up allowed Mikel Merino to slot the ball into the bottom corner.

However, PSV found a brief lifeline before half-time when Thomas Partey fouled Luuk de Jong inside the box. Noa Lang stepped up and dispatched the penalty with confidence, reducing the deficit to 3-1 at the break.

Second Half: Arsenal Run Riot

Arsenal wasted no time in re-establishing their dominance, scoring two quickfire goals within the first three minutes of the second half.

Martin Ødegaard netted just after the restart, and moments later, Leandro Trossard combined with Riccardo Calafiori before lifting a clever finish over Walter Benítez.

PSV’s attempts to respond were met with little success, with de Jong seeing a header saved. Meanwhile, Arsenal continued their relentless pursuit of goals, with Nwaneri forcing Olivier Boscagli to concede a corner that led to Gabriel heading wide.

Ødegaard completed his brace in the 72nd minute, gliding to the edge of the area before firing past Benítez despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to the shot. The Norwegian midfielder then set up Calafiori to make it seven, sealing Arsenal’s biggest away win in UCL history.

What’s Next?

PSV must now attempt a near-impossible comeback at the Emirates Stadium in the second leg, while Arsenal are firmly on course for their first UCL quarter-final appearance since 2010.

The Gunners also extended their UCL winning streak to five matches, their longest since their 2005/06 run to the competition’s final.

For more info on this game’s outcome, you may also visit:
PSV vs Arsenal | UEFA Champions League 2024/25