Arsenal put one foot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League with an emphatic victory over PSV Eindhoven.
The Gunners ran out 7-1 winners in the Netherlands in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie thanks to goals from Jurrien Timber, Ethan Nwaneri, Mikel Merino, Leandro Trossard, Riccardo Calafiori and a brace from Martin Odegaard.
PSV did pull one goal back, with Noa Lang scoring a penalty just before half time when they were 3-0 down, but they struggled all night.
The Dutch side were defensively all over the place and Mikel Arteta’s side took full advantage as Arsenal record their biggest-ever away win in the Champions League.
Simon Collings was in Eindhoven to see Arsenal in action...
David Raya 6
Almost caught out when he failed to gather a cross, with Ismael Saibari smashing the woodwork. Got nowhere near Lang’s penalty.
Jurrien Timber 8
Put Arsenal ahead with a brilliant header at the back post. Got forward a lot and was a real threat. Largely kept Lang quiet, too.
William Saliba 7
A steady performance from the Frenchman, who barely put a foot wrong. Typically composed at the back and on the ball.
Gabriel 6
Went close with a chance in the opening moments. Had a pretty comfortable night’s work dealing with an ageing Luuk de Jong.
Myles Lewis-Skelly 6
Taken off before half-time after he was booked and lucky not to be given a second yellow for a late tackle on Richard Ledezma. Setup Nwaneri’s goal.
Martin Odegaard 9
Revelled in the space that was given to him by PSV. Two goals and an assist capped off a fine night’s work. A captain’s performance.
Thomas Partey 5
Gave away a penalty with a clumsy challenge in the box as he caught De Jong with a stray arm. Spoilt an otherwise solid showing.
Declan Rice 9 | Star player
Full of running and made the most of the huge gaps in PSV’s midfield. Created the opening goal with a slick turn and cross that picked out Timber. A monster performance.
Ethan Nwaneri 8
Another magical performance from the 17-year-old, who now has eight goals this season. Smashed the ball home with an emphatic finish for his goal.
Mikel Merino 7
Picked to start as an emergency No9 for the third game in a row. Scored Arsenal’s third with a cool finish inside the box.
Leandro Trossard 8
Heavily involved in both of Arsenal’s opening two goals, playing lovely balls into the box from out left. Got the goal his performance deserved with a lovely, dinked finish to make it 5-1.
Substitutions
Riccardo Calafiori (Lewis-Skelly 35’) 8
On earlier than expected and made the most of it. A goal and an assist for the Italian.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (Partey 71’) 6
Came on in midfield, again, as Arsenal cruised to victory. Went close to scoring a seventh for Arsenal.
Raheem Sterling (Nwaneri 71’) 6
A small cameo for the winger as Nwaneri was taken off ahead of Manchester United on Sunday.
Kieran Tierney (Merino 77’) N/A
Ben White (Timber 77’) N/A
Subs not used: Neto, Setford, Kiwior, Jorginho, Butler-Oyedeji, Kabia
