Arsenal 4-0 PSV: Mikel Arteta's side thrash Dutch visitors to mark return to UEFA Champions League in style
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Updated 20/09/2023 at 22:16 GMT
Arsenal marked their return to the UEFA Champions League with a convincing 4-0 win over PSV at the Emirates. Making their first appearance in the competition since the 2016/17 season, Bukayo Saka gave the Premier League side the lead after just eight minutes, with Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus adding further first-half goals. Martin Odegaard put the gloss on a fine display with a fourth.
Highlights: Arsenal hammer PSV on long-awaited Champions League return
Bukayo Saka played a starring role as Arsenal made a scintillating return to UEFA Champions League football courtesy of a stylish 4-0 victory at home to PSV in Group B.
The Gunners were featuring in Europe’s premier competition for the first time in six years and made the most of a special night with a memorable performance, particularly in the first half when the visitors couldn't live with them.
Saka set the ball rolling when he marked his first ever appearance in the Champions League by tucking in a rebound on eight minutes.
The England winger then turned provider when he passed to Leandro Trossard who rifled in a clinical low shot to polish off a fine counter-attack 12 minutes later.
Gabriel Jesus all-but sealed the points seven minutes prior to the break when he took down Trossard’s left-wing cross and fizzed a lovely strike into the far corner.
Mikel Arteta’s men eased into cruise control for most of the second period but added a fourth 20 minutes from the end when the impressive Martin Odegaard scorched a low, 20-yard shot beyond the reach of Walter Benitez.
The result means the Gunners top Group B with Sevilla and Lens on a point apiece following their draw in Spain. PSV are bottom.
Arsenal will now head into Sunday’s North London derby at home to Tottenham in high spirits. The Gunners are back in Champions League action in October on Matchday 2 when they visit Lens. PSV entertain Sevilla.
Talking point - A night that was worth the wait for Arteta and Co
Arsenal’s absence from Europe’s top table must have felt like a lifetime for Gooners given that it had become something of an expectation during Arsene Wenger’s lengthy tenure.
The near miss of 2021-22 under Arteta only served to intensify the hunger to see the likes of Saka gracing the competition and the 22-year-old and his team-mates certainly didn’t disappoint.
Arteta had suggested ‘every game will be a special night’ ahead of kick off and so it proved on Matchday One as this young crop of Gunners showed that they are tailor-made for this stage.
Indeed, Arsenal were a class above for long spells and made the perfect start to a group that could yet have a few banana skins along the way.
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'The emblem of the new era!' - Saka scores early on Champions League debut
Player of the match - Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
It is only right that one of Europe’s top young talents is finally making headlines in the Champions League. The winger sparkled alongside a host of his teammates – notably Odegaard and Jesus - and chipped in with a goal and an assist to continue his excellent start to the new season.
Player Ratings
ARSENAL: Raya 7, White 7, Saliba 7, Gabriel 7, Zinchenko 7, Odegaard 8, Rice 7, Havertz 7, Saka 8*, Gabriel Jesus 8, Trossard 8. Subs: Tomiyasu 6, Nelson 7, Vieira 6, Smith Rowe 6, Jorginho 6.
PSV: Benitez 7, Teze 6, Bella-Kotchap 6, Boscagli 6, Dest 6, Schouten 6, Veerman 6, Bakayoko 6, Saibari 6, Lang 6, de Jong 6. Subs: Lozano 6, Tillman 6, Vertessen 5, Ramalho 5, Pepi n/a.
Match Highlights
08’ – GOAL! – Arsenal 1-0 PSV. Saka tucks in from a tight angle after Benitez could only parry Odegaard's 20-yard shot into his path.
20’ – GOAL! – Arsenal 2-0 PSV. Trossard fizzes a low first-time shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards after lovely break and pass involving Saka.
38’ – GOAL! – Arsenal 3-0 PSV. Jesus takes down Trossard's deep cross and slams a stunning shot into the far corner.
62’ – ARSENAL CHANCE! Jesus stabs wide at the near post after great work by Nelson and Havertz down the left.
70’ – GOAL! – Arsenal 4-0 PSV. Odegaard sizzles a lovely 20-yard strike into the bottom corner.
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Odegaard 'leads by example' with long range strike for Arsenal's fourth in PSV rout
Key Stat
Gabriel Jesus has scored in 50% of his starts in the UEFA Champions League, the eighth-highest rate of any player in the competition's history (min. 20 starts).
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