Arsenal stormed to a 7-1 win against PSV Eindhoven, courtesy of goals from Jurrien Timber, Ethan Nwaneri, Mikel Merino, Martin Ødegaard, Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori.
Declan Rice nearly cancelled out the ‘gezellig’ atmosphere that had been building in the Philips Stadion on the final day of their ‘Lampegat’ festival, but his curling effort into the bottom right corner was flagged for an offside in the build-up.
It wasn’t long before Arsenal did find the back of the net, this time through Dutch international Jurrien Timber, who nodded home from an inch-perfect Rice delivery.
Ethan Nwaneri doubled the visitors’ lead in the 21st minute, converting Myles Lewis-Skelly’s cross into the back of the net after an intelligent run to the front post caught out the PSV defenders.
PSV were the architects of their own downfall with Ryan Flamingo handing Mikel Merino a chance on a golden platter. The 28-year-old made no mistake, slotting past Walter Benitez for the Gunners’ third of the evening.
However, a clumsy foul from Thomas Partey on Luuk de Jong on the cusp of the interval handed the hosts a chance to grab a goal from the spot. Noa Lang assumed the responsibility, blazing the ball past David Raya with plenty of power.
Arsenal started the second half as they did the first, emerging out of the tunnel all guns blazing. A save from Benitez fell kindly for Martin Ødegaard, scoring his first goal since February 2 against Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta’s side continued their pattern of quickfire doubles with Leandro Trossard adding a fifth goal less than sixty seconds after Ødegaard’s goal. The former Brighton winger slipped in behind the PSV defence, delicately chipping the ball over Benítez.
The former OGC Nice goalkeeper didn’t cover himself in glory for the sixth goal. Ødegaard prepared to release a shot from distance and the ball deflected through the Argentine’s hands to virtually wrap up the tie.
Riccardo Calafiori made it seven heaven for the Gunners, locating Ødegaard’s line-breaking pass and placing the ball into the bottom left corner.
Arsenal now turn their attention back to the Premier League, with a tough away trip up north to face Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United. Peter Bosz’s side are hoping to close the gap on league-leaders Ajax, continuing with a home fixture against SC Heerenveen.
Story of the game:
With not many options to choose from going forward, Mikel Arteta decided to stick with Mikel Merino leading the line, rather than switching tactics completely. Thomas Partey and Myles Lewis-Skelly were the two other changes, replacing Jorginho and Riccardo Calafiori respectively.
PSV manager Peter Bosz made only one switch from the side that lost to Go Ahead Eagles on the weekend, with former Spurs midfielder Ivan Perišić preferred to Johan Bakayoko.
The Gunners emerged on the front foot, with Ethan Nwaneri delivering an enticing ball into Gabriel’s path, but the Brazilian couldn’t direct his effort towards the target.
There was a claim for an early penalty for the visitors when Martin Ødegaard prepared to shoot, but was taken out by a defender before he could test Walter Benítez.
Declan Rice thought he found the opener for Arsenal in the 12th minute with a lovely strike from outside the box, but it was quickly flagged for an offside in the build-up.
However, it was the visitors that came agonisingly close only minutes later. David Raya initially did well to parry Perisic’s shot away, but Ismael Saibari had a glorious chance to convert on the rebound. The 24-year-old failed to convert from close range, hitting the crossbar.
PSV were made to pay for their mistakes two minutes later. Leandro Trossard found Rice inside the box, before finding Jurrien Timber at the back post to guide into the back of the net.
Arsenal quickly doubled their lead through academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri. The 17-year-old, who became the second-youngest Arsenal player to appear in a Champions League knockout match, fired the ball into the roof of the net from Lewis-Skelly’s delivery.
Lewis-Skelly was fortunate not to see his excellent work undone, narrowly avoiding red from referee Jesús Gil Manzano. The youngster initially was given a yellow card for committing a late foul on the counter-attack. He then took down Richard Ledezma in a promising position, but received a caution as opposed to being given his marching orders.
The travelling Arsenal faithful were given more to cheer about ten minutes later with the visitors’ press exposing PSV’s defensive frailties. Flamingo tardied on the ball, allowing Merino to take advantage and add to the scoresheet.
With the North London side in cruise control, Arteta turned to the bench, electing not to risk Lewis-Skelly on a yellow card and bring Calafiori into action in the 33rd minute.
However, the hosts were able to grab an important goal before the interval. Thomas Partey brought Luuk de Jong down in the box, leaving the referee with no other option. Noa Lang stepped up confidently, dispatching the penalty kick with confidence.
De Jong then headed over for PSV from Tyrell Malacia’s cross, with the Boeren growing back into the game and the crowd motivating the home side.
Arsenal were quick to silence the momentum that PSV had built towards the end of the first half. Nwaneri’s cross into the box was palmed back into danger by Benítez and Ødegaard was on hand to convert the rebound.
Four rapidly turned into five with Trossard joining in on the action only a minute later. A beautiful exchange between Calafiori and Trossard landed the Belgian winger with a shooting opportunity, and the 30-year-old produced a neat lobbed finish over Benítez.
Nwaneri had a chance to double his tally after dribbling through the PSV midfield, but his left-footed strike deflected for a corner kick.
The Gunners had another goal disallowed for offside, this time Leandro Trossard timing his run a fraction too late behind the hosts’ backline.
With Arteta’s side brimming with confidence, Ødegaard secured his brace, unleashing from distance. The Norwegian’s effort should have been a routine save for Benítez, but the Argentine goalkeeper let the ball slip through his hands.
Calafiori rounded up Arsenal’s night with number seven in the final ten minutes, running in behind, latching onto Ødegaard’s through ball and slotting into the bottom corner.
The Gunners have created an enormous safety blanket for the second leg next Wednesday, with a trip to Madrid on the cards barring no shock result.
