Arsenal’s Champions League return meets with Mikel Arteta’s approval

EINDHOVEN – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described the Gunners’ return to the Champions League as very positive after they wrapped up their Group B campaign on Dec 12 with a 1-1 draw at Dutch league leaders PSV Eindhoven.

Arsenal had already secured top spot, and a place in the round of 16, after thrashing RC Lens 6-0 in November.

They last competed in Europe’s top club competition in the 2016-17 season, reaching the last 16 before being thrashed 5-1 in both legs by Bayern Munich.

The Gunners returned to the Champions League this season after finishing runners-up in the English Premier League to Manchester City, and won their group with 13 points, four more than second-placed PSV.

“I think overall very, very positive, after six or seven years without being in the competition with a team that doesn’t have a lot of experience,” Arteta said of his team’s campaign.

“I think we have competed very, very well. I really liked the approach of the team in every single game, the way we try to play and dominated the opponents.

“We’ve had some big results and big experiences as well... overall finishing first with a game to play.

“So we have to be really happy, close that chapter, leave it until February and make sure in February when that chapter opens up again, we are in the best possible place to compete against another top side.”

Arteta made eight changes to the side who were beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa at the weekend and was pleased with his players’ performance.

“There were good moments, but there were moments we lacked that cohesion and timings, especially in the way we pressed against a really good side. When you don’t get the timings right, you have to defend awkward spaces and we had to do that a few times tonight, which could have cost us the game,” he added.

“I’m really happy with the attitude and behaviour of every player, how they tried and in the end, we could’ve won it.”

Eddie Nketiah put Arsenal ahead three minutes before the break but the hosts equalised five minutes into the second half through Yorbe Vertessen.

PSV, runaway Eredivisie leaders after winning their first 15 games this season, could have got a second in the 66th minute but Ismael Saibari’s effort hit the post before a last-minute breakaway saw substitute Guus Til shoot off target.

Arsenal had the ball in the net nine minutes from time but the headed effort from Jakub Kiwior was ruled offside.

Arteta’s men might have snatched victory with the last kick of the game but goalkeeper Walter Benitez made a flying stop to deny Leandro Trossard and Kiwior blasted the rebound well wide.

“We could have lost it at the end, but I also think we could have won today,” said PSV coach Peter Bosz. “I have a proud feeling about how we played today.”

Behind Arsenal and PSV, Lens dropped into the Europa League after a 2-1 home win over Sevilla. The French side finished with eight points, while Sevilla ended their campaign with just two.

REUTERS