Mikel Arteta’s team had a commanding victory as they steamrolled their Dutch opponents in Eindhoven, securing a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a stunning 7-1 win against PSV on Tuesday.
In the first leg of the last-16 tie, Arsenal made the match easy for themselves, conceding just one goal through a late penalty in the first half.
PSV initially threatened when Ismael Saibari hit the crossbar following a counter-attack. However, Arsenal responded swiftly. They worked the ball into the box, with Declan Rice lobbing it to the back post where Jurrien Timber was perfectly positioned to nod it in from close range.
Before long, the score was 2-0, and Arsenal was in control. A well-executed move ended with Myles Lewis-Skelly delivering a dangerous ball into the box for Ethan Nwaneri, who blasted it into the net.
Arsenal was then fortunate to score their third goal. PSV seemed to have halted an attack, but Ryan Flamingo fell unexpectedly, allowing Mikel Merino to seize the opportunity and tuck the ball past goalkeeper Walter Benitez.
PSV managed to get one back when Thomas Partey fouled Luuk de Jong in the box, and Noa Lang converted the penalty with ease. However, just after the second half began, Nwaneri’s low cross caught Benitez off guard, and Martin Ødegaard was there to capitalize, making it 4-1.
Within moments, Arsenal scored again. Substitute Riccardo Calafiori pushed the ball through to Leandro Trossard, who finished simply. Ødegaard then received a pass from Merino and burst forward to fire in the sixth goal. In the final five minutes, Calafiori capped off the scoring with a striker’s finish after receiving a fine ball from Ødegaard.
Despite criticism for not signing a striker in January, Arsenal became the first team to score seven or more away goals in a Champions League knockout match.
