March 5 – Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League last-16 clash saw Arsenal run riot in Eindhoven, delivering a crushing 7-1 win over PSV, leaving them in a commanding position ahead of the second leg.
Mikel Arteta’s side looked every bit the attacking force they’ve been missing recently, with three goals in the first half and four more in the second, all but booking their ticket to the quarter-finals. Next up? A possible showdown with either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid.
The Gunners impressed in the first half, heading into half time with a commanding 3-1 lead. But that quickly turned into a crime scene – running out for the second half with all the intent of finishing PSV off, setting a new record for Arsenal’s biggest-ever away win in the Champions League in the process.
In fact, the match marked the only occasion where an away side has tallied seven in the Champions League knockout rounds.
With their eyes now firmly on the quarter-finals, Arsenal will be looking ahead to the second leg next week, but the real focus is on what lies beyond. The new format has given the Gunners a clearer path, and barring a massive collapse, they’ll face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid. Real hold a 2-1 lead over Atletico after their first leg, despite a quiet night for star duo Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, meaning Arsenal have no time to slow down.
Before the game, the Gunners were under pressure to fix their attacking woes, having struggled to find the net in recent matches. But against PSV, they were relentless, taking control early and playing with the kind of tempo that had been missing. Declan Rice thought he had scored before seeing his goal ruled out for offside, and Ødegaard was left fuming after a penalty appeal was turned down. Arsenal made it clear early that this wasn’t going to be a night for nervousness.
PSV, by contrast, were wide open at the back, a defensive mess that’s been a recurring issue since the new year. With just one clean sheet in 14 games, the questions about head coach Peter Bosz’s tactics looked well-founded as Arsenal sliced through them again and again.
For Gunners winger Ethan Nwaneri, the night was another milestone. The 17-year-old’s goal was his eighth in all competitions this season, and it made him just the third English player under the age of 18 to start a Champions League knockout match, following in the footsteps of Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.
Defender Jurrien Timber had spoken ahead of the game about this tie being Arsenal’s chance to “change the narrative” of their season, and with this dominant win, that narrative has most certainly been rewritten. Arteta, half mockingly, insisted his side must ‘stay humble’ after the match – a nod to Manchester City striker Erling Haaland’s ill-timed advice following an altercation earlier in the season.
The Gunners may not have a recognised striker right now, but a seven-goal showing will help to ease the pressure that’s been building. It remains to be seen whether they can replicate this in the Premier League or whether this was simply an off night for PSV – but it certainly was a statement to the doubters creeping into Arsenal’s campaign.
The Gunners leave Eindhoven with bragging rights, having beaten the only team to defeat Premier League rivals Liverpool in the group stages, though Arne Slot’s side were virtually guaranteed top spot in the table by that point.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1741234251labto1741234251ofdlr1741234251owedi1741234251sni@g1741234251niwe.1741234251yrrah1741234251