Arsenal have all but confirmed their progression to the Champions League quarter-final, after dismantling last-16 opponents PSV 7-1 in the first leg.
Goals from Jurrien Timber, Ethan Nwaneri and Mikel Merino got the Gunners off to the perfect start, before Noa Lang pulled a goal back from the penalty spot just before half-time.
But the visitors quickly crushed any chance of a comeback, with Martin Ødegaard and Leandro Trossard adding Arsenal’s fourth and fifth within three minutes of the second half.
Captain Ødegaard found the net again after 73 minutes, and Riccardo Calafiori added a seventh for Arsenal to cap off a rout in Eindhoven.
Here are our player ratings from a history-making night at the Philips Stadion.
Arsenal player ratings:
David Raya – 5
A quiet night for Raya, who was rarely threatened before and after the penalty.
Jurrien Timber – 9
Considering Timber’s Ajax roots, the Dutchman will have enjoyed this night very much.
He kicked off the scoring early on, rising high at the back post to thump his header past the goalkeeper.
Just the latest stellar performance in what has been a great individual season for the defender.
William Saliba – 7
Saliba cleaned up any potential threat posed by PSV, in a dominant showing against veteran centre-forward Luuk de Jong.
Gabriel Magalhães – 7
The Brazilian will be frustrated not to have made his way onto the scoresheet after he miscued a free header late on.
Given his prominence in the Arsenal team, it’s easy to forget that Lewis-Skelly is still just 18 years old.
The defender was taken off after 35 minutes after narrowly avoiding a second yellow card for a slightly late challenge in the corner.
Something to work on for the youngster who, in his time on the pitch, drove forward excellently, setting up fellow Hale End graduate Nwaneri for his team’s second.
Thomas Partey – 4
On another night, Partey’s bizarre decision to raise his arm while attempting to block the PSV attacker may have required further examination, giving away a penalty and a route back into the game for the home side.
Luckily, it did not cost his team.
Declan Rice – 9
Rice’s incredible engine was on full display against PSV, one eye-catching moment saw him make a lung-busting run to get to the ball and win a corner, despite his team being 6-1 up at the time.
His highlight, however, was his perfectly placed cross to the back-post that met Timber’s head and gave Arsenal the lead.
Martin Ødegaard – 10
This was a vintage performance from a player who, at times, this season, has looked low on confidence and in need of a night like this.
The inaccurate passes that have seen criticism levelled at the Arsenal captain in recent weeks were still present at times in the first half, with a couple arriving behind Nwaneri in dangerous positions.
Yet, after his first goal, the magic, that has put Odegaard on the table with Europe’s best midfielders, looked to flow once more.
His powerful strike from range added his second of the night but his outside-of-the-foot pass to Calafiori, weighted to absolute perfection, was his crowning moment on a perfect night for the Norwegian.
Ethan Nwaneri – 10
This 17-year-old just continues to dazzle the world stage with his outstanding talent.
His goal, while from close range, took terrific technique to keep down while on the volley and saw him become the third youngest-ever Champions League knockout stage scorer.
His role in the fourth was also key, beating his man on the outside before rifling in a dangerous cross the goalkeeper could only parry to the waiting Ødegaard.
Leandro Trossard – 9
Trossard can likely claim the goal of the night, latching onto Calafiori’s pass before chipping delicately over Walter Benitez.
But it was his work outside of the penalty area that, perhaps, stood out more prominently.
The Belgian could constantly be seen charging back to win the ball back, dribbling around opponents and pushing Arsenal up the pitch once he had.
Mikel Merino – 9
Despite starting just his third-ever game at centre-forward, Merino led his teammates with conviction.
His finish was cute, striking through the defender’s legs and into the far corner after benefitting from some abject PSV defending.
Riccardo Calafiori – 10
Calafiori enjoyed 55 minutes of action and really could not have made much more of an impact.
His pass, in behind the PSV backline, to assist Trossard, was placed excellently and his goal, both the run and the finish, was that of a promising striker.
In his almost three years at the club, Zinchenko has rarely been used in the midfield, despite drifting into similar spaces.
Based on this performance, perhaps he should have. The Ukrainian was bright and could have scored, if not for a good save from the goalkeeper.
Raheem Sterling – 5
Sterling had some moments but failed to get heavily involved.
Ben White – 6
White’s continued return to action was marked by a signature crunching tackle.
Kieran Tierney – 7
Tierney was positive off the bench and set up Zinchenko for his saved strike.
