Arsenal crush PSV Eindhoven on ‘beautiful’ Champions League return
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Arsenal's Martin Odegaard celebrates scoring the team's fourth goal.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – Mikel Arteta hailed Arsenal’s “beautiful” return to the Champions League, as Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard inspired a 4-0 demolition of PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.
Back in Europe’s elite club competition after six years, Arsenal swept aside the overwhelmed Dutch league leaders to prove they can cope with the step up in class.
Arteta’s side ran riot in the first half at the Emirates Stadium, with Saka scoring his first goal in the competition before setting up Trossard to double the lead.
Trossard also went from scorer to provider as he laid on the third goal for Gabriel Jesus, with Martin Odegaard completing the rout.
It was the first time Arsenal had scored three goals in the first half of a Champions League tie since 2014 against Galatasaray.
PSV captain Luuk de Jong told RTL 7: “We tried to put them under pressure, but we conceded two goals early on. We then established a bit more control, but they scored the third and then we knew that the game was over.”
Arsenal’s last game in the competition was in March 2017, when Bayern Munich completed a humiliating 10-2 aggregate victory in the last 16.
“It was a beautiful night after such a long time,” said Arteta.
“It was great to see the atmosphere, the Champions League music. It was emotional before the game.
“We have to ride that energy. We have to enjoy these nights. It’s one to remember.”
The Gunners are a far more formidable force now, despite their lack of recent Champions League experience, and should cruise through Group B, which also features Sevilla and Lens, who drew 1-1.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka scores their first goal.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Arsenal are unbeaten with four wins from five in the Premier League, as they aim to make amends for last season’s collapse in the title race.
But the chance to advance to the latter stages of the Champions League – which they have never won – is also a major incentive for Arteta’s men and they look up to the task. “We were excellent in both boxes, that was the difference. When you see this team running and full of pace, it is a joy to watch. The finishing was top-class,” the Spaniard said.
“To score four goals against a team that had won every game this season is exceptional but there were still things have could have been much better.”
PSV defender Jordan Teze admitted on RTL 7: “Arsenal have a lot of quality and play in a very smart way. We don’t come up against teams like that in the Dutch league.”
Leandro Trossard scores Arsenal’s second goal.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Tougher tests will come but captain Odegaard believes Arsenal can have a deep run. “You saw the motivation and energy right from the start. To be back in this competition is huge,” he said. “We are in this competition to compete and fight to go all the way.”
Former Arsenal and England defender Martin Keown said of the Norwegian on TNT Sports: “It’s astonishing how Odegaard has risen in the game. It was only his third Champions League game and his first goal. Real Madrid won three Champions Leagues without him – but look how he has come back. He’s really controlling games for Arsenal.” AFP, REUTERS
