Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
March 5 – Tuesday evening’s UEFA Champions League last-16 conflict noticed Arsenal run riot in Eindhoven, delivering a crushing 7-1 win over PSV, leaving them in a commanding place forward of the second leg.
Mikel Arteta’s facet appeared each bit the attacking power they’ve been lacking lately, with three objectives within the first half and 4 extra within the second, all however reserving their ticket to the quarter-finals. Subsequent up? A doable showdown with both Actual Madrid or Atletico Madrid.
The Gunners impressed within the first half, heading into half time with a commanding 3-1 lead. However that rapidly became against the law scene – operating out for the second half with all of the intent of ending PSV off, setting a brand new report for Arsenal’s biggest-ever away win within the Champions League within the course of.
Actually, the match marked the one event the place an away facet has tallied seven within the Champions League knockout rounds.
With their eyes now firmly on the quarter-finals, Arsenal will likely be waiting for the second leg subsequent week, however the true focus is on what lies past. The brand new format has given the Gunners a clearer path, and barring a large collapse, they’ll face both Actual Madrid or Atletico Madrid. Actual maintain a 2-1 lead over Atletico after their first leg, regardless of a quiet evening for star duo Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, which means Arsenal haven’t any time to decelerate.
Earlier than the sport, the Gunners had been below strain to repair their attacking woes, having struggled to search out the web in current matches. However towards PSV, they had been relentless, taking management early and taking part in with the type of tempo that had been lacking. Declan Rice thought he had scored earlier than seeing his purpose dominated out for offside, and Ødegaard was left fuming after a penalty attraction was turned down. Arsenal made it clear early that this wasn’t going to be an evening for nervousness.
PSV, in contrast, had been extensive open on the again, a defensive mess that’s been a recurring concern for the reason that new yr. With only one clear sheet in 14 video games, the questions on head coach Peter Bosz’s techniques appeared well-founded as Arsenal sliced via them repeatedly.
For Gunners winger Ethan Nwaneri, the evening was one other milestone. The 17-year-old’s purpose was his eighth in all competitions this season, and it made him simply the third English participant below the age of 18 to start out a Champions League knockout match, following within the footsteps of Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.
Defender Jurrien Timber had spoken forward of the sport about this tie being Arsenal’s likelihood to “change the narrative” of their season, and with this dominant win, that narrative has most actually been rewritten. Arteta, half mockingly, insisted his facet should ‘keep humble’ after the match – a nod to Manchester Metropolis striker Erling Haaland’s ill-timed recommendation following an altercation earlier within the season.
The Gunners might not have a recognised striker proper now, however a seven-goal exhibiting will assist to ease the strain that’s been constructing. It stays to be seen whether or not they can replicate this within the Premier League or whether or not this was merely an off evening for PSV – nevertheless it actually was an announcement to the doubters creeping into Arsenal’s marketing campaign.
The Gunners go away Eindhoven with bragging rights, having overwhelmed the one workforce to defeat Premier League rivals Liverpool within the group levels, although Arne Slot’s facet had been just about assured prime spot within the desk by that time.
Contact the author of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1741188495labto1741188495ofdlr1741188495owedi1741188495sni@g1741188495niwe.1741188495yrrah1741188495
