In a landmark victory that has nearly secured their spot in the Champions League quarterfinals, Arsenal decimated PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in the Netherlands. This commanding performance is the highest-ever away win in the knockout stages of Europe’s prestigious club tournament. Despite missing pivotal players like Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus, the team exhibited dominant play.
Arsenal displayed remarkable synergy right from the first leg of their last-16 clash. They delivered a breathtaking performance that defied the setback of injuries to key forwards. Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice commented on the team’s form, stating, “We were fluid. We had enthusiasm, the drive, and the hunger. But we’ve been playing like this all season. We need to keep pushing as a team with the mentality.”
The match saw Jurrien Timber initiating the scoring by heading in the opening goal at the 18-minute mark. The English club shifted into high gear as teenager Ethan Nwaneri scored just minutes later, set up by Myles Lewis-Skelly. This marked a historic moment for Arsenal, as it was the first instance in which two homegrown players collaborated to net a goal for the first team, and also the first pairing of two English teenagers combining for a score in the Champions League.
Rice praised Nwaneri’s performance, noting, “He’s 17 years old and playing on the biggest stage in football. It’s crazy. We see him every day in training, and he and Myles deserve to be playing. You should see them train, the way they have no fear, the way they want to come and perform. It was brilliant tonight.”
Given the absence of their regular forwards, Mikel Merino stepped up to make it 3-0, before Arsenal’s captain Martin Odegaard added two more goals to the tally. Further goals from Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori solidified Arsenal’s triumph. PSV’s Noa Lang managed to score a consolation goal from a penalty, but it did little to lessen their comprehensive defeat.
