Arsenal had the chance to secure top spot in their Europa League group with a game to spare, if they could have avoided defeat against PSV Eindhoven. But, alongside a 2-0 loss at the hands of the Dutch side, it was also a very poor performance to match.
Cody Gakpo was the star for PSV as he played his part by providing an assist for the hosts’ second goal of the match. Joey Veerman gave Ruud van Nistelrooy's side the lead early into the second half after much domination by the home side.
The defeat means that Arsenal have it all to do in the final group stage game against FC Zurich to secure top spot. football.london takes a look at the winners and losers from the loss with a clear lean toward the latter.
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Winners
Cody Gakpo
Gakpo had his second audition against Arsenal, and after disappointing in the first fixture at the Emirates he certainly made amends against the Gunners in Eindhoven. His assist for the second goal which Luuk De Jong scored, secured all three points for PSV.
It wasn’t just his goal involvement that made him impressive but it was his all-around play. His smart runs in behind the defence caused problems for Mikel Arteta’s backline and he was ever-present in the attack which led him to having two goals ruled out for offside - with Xavi Simons seeing another ruled out.
With Arsenal in desperate need of a winger, Gakpo certainly showed why he should be up for consideration in the January transfer window. He was certainly a winner as a result of Thursday evening’s result.
Chelsea
Arsenal are set to play against Chelsea on November 6th at Stamford Bridge in the penultimate Premier League fixture before the World Cup. And it seems that the Blues have been given a major advantage as a result of the Gunners’ defeat against PSV.
Arsenal’s loss against PSV meant that they did not secure the top spot going into the last group stage match against FC Zurich on November 3. Rotation would’ve been important going into the match against Chelsea, but with the risk of losing first place, Arteta could look to go strong give the Gunners the best chance at claiming three points.
Chelsea have already won their Champions League group, meaning they can rest their best players in the midweek European game before the match against Arsenal; something Arteta cannot afford to do.
Losers
Albert Sambi Lokonga
Sambi Lokonga has had the opportunity to impress in the Europa League this season and he has failed to grasp his chances. His performance against PSV has been his worst this season.
The Belgian has been vocal about his lack of game time but when given the opportunity to pose questions to Arteta, he hasn’t been able to capitalise.
His early second-half substitution against PSV for Thomas Party highlighted Arteta’s discontent with his performance on Thursday evening. Sambi Lokonga failed to prove why he should be given more game time.
Eddie Nketiah
Nketiah was poor against PSV when Arsenal needed him most. With Gabriel Jesus’ recent goal drought, Nketiah has been needed to step-up to add an extra goal threat for the Gunners’ but he failed to do so.
Arsenal have only scored three goals in their last four games, and the Europa League provided a great opportunity for Nketiah to stake his claim for a place in Arteta’s preferred line-up, but this chance was not taken.
With just one Europa League group stage game remaining, Nketiah’s chances to start a match will decrease deeper into the season, as fewer European games become available.
Gabriel Martinelli
Martinelli started his 100th game for Arsenal, but it was definitely one to forget for the Brazilian. He was largely ineffective throughout the match.
His chance in the first half proved to be a crucial miss as that would have given the Gunners the lead which could have settled the nerves of the north London side, while a late effort could have got them back into the game. A better performance will be needed against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
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