Arsenal run riot in Eindhoven to all but seal quarter-final place

Arsenal made history in Eindhoven with a breathtaking attacking display, smashing seven past PSV to take full control of their Champions League tie!

March 4, 2025
11:30 pm

Arsenal delivered a statement performance in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, dismantling PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in the first leg at the Philips Stadion. The Gunners, who had failed to win on any of their previous four visits to Eindhoven, put on a scintillating attacking display to all but secure their passage to the quarter-finals.

Mikel Arteta’s side started brightly and thought they had an early breakthrough when Declan Rice slotted past Walter Benítez, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. That scare was compounded moments later when David Raya’s palm away from Ivan Perišić’s low cross fell into a dangerous area, allowing Ismael Saibari to crash a shot against the crossbar before Ryan Flamingo sent the rebound wide.

That missed opportunity proved costly as Arsenal swiftly punished PSV’s wastefulness. Rice turned provider, floating an inviting ball to the back post for Jurriën Timber, who rose highest to head home the opener. The floodgates opened three minutes later when Hale End graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly squared for fellow academy star Ethan Nwaneri, who coolly finished to become the third-youngest goalscorer in a Champions League knockout match.

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The hosts’ defensive frailties were exposed once again as Mikel Merino capitalised on a loose ball in the box to fire home Arsenal’s third. However, PSV were handed a glimmer of hope before the break when Thomas Partey was penalised for a foul on Luuk de Jong at a corner, allowing Noa Lang to emphatically dispatch the resulting penalty.

That lifeline proved short-lived. Just over a minute into the second half, Martin Ødegaard restored Arsenal’s three-goal cushion with a well-taken finish. The Norwegian was at the heart of everything and soon turned provider, linking up with Riccardo Calafiori to tee up Leandro Trossard for Arsenal’s fifth.

PSV briefly threatened through De Jong, but Arsenal’s dominance never wavered. Ødegaard doubled his tally with a stunning strike from the edge of the area, his effort proving too powerful for Benítez despite the keeper getting a hand to it. The Norwegian then rounded off a masterful display by assisting Calafiori for Arsenal’s seventh, sealing a record-breaking night for the visitors.

This emphatic victory marked Arsenal’s fifth consecutive Champions League win for the first time since their run to the 2005/06 final and inflicted PSV’s heaviest ever home defeat in the competition. With a six-goal cushion heading into the return leg at the Emirates, Arteta’s men have one foot firmly in the quarter-finals.