Football: Arsenal 2 - 2 PSV

Arsenal won 9-3 on aggregate 

Arsenal sealed their place in the Champions League quarter-finals in emphatic style, completing a dominant 9-3 aggregate win over PSV Eindhoven. 

Author - DJ

London Super News | Arsenal v PSV

Their reward? A high-stakes showdown with 14-time European champions Real Madrid.

Mikel Arteta’s side had already put the tie to bed with a ruthless 7-1 first-leg victory in the Netherlands, allowing the Spaniard to rotate heavily for the return fixture at the Emirates.

With large sections of empty seats and a subdued atmosphere, the game lacked real jeopardy—but those in attendance witnessed a moment of magic from Oleksandr Zinchenko.

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The Ukrainian, often on the fringes this season, marked his rare start with a stunning strike. Collecting a pass from Raheem Sterling, Zinchenko curled a beautiful effort into the far corner to give Arsenal the lead. 

However, any hopes of a record-breaking rout, Bayern Munich’s 12-1 aggregate demolition of Sporting CP in 2009 remains the benchmark, were quickly dashed.

Source | Arsenal YouTube account

Lacking urgency with the tie already wrapped up, Arsenal’s intensity dropped, allowing PSV to find a foothold. Former Tottenham winger Ivan Perisic silenced the home crowd with a pinpoint finish from Guus Til’s pass, drawing the Dutch side level.

There were flashes of quality from Arsenal, with teenage prospect Myles Lewis-Skelly striking the post and Declan Rice nodding home after a dazzling Sterling run and cross. But PSV refused to go quietly, and Couhaib Driouech ensured they departed London with a creditable 2-2 draw, lifting a deft chip over David Raya after being played through by Isaac Babadi.

Despite the lacklustre nature of the second leg, Arteta will take satisfaction from guiding Arsenal into back-to-back Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2010. The Gunners, losing finalists in 2006, are still chasing their first European trophy since winning the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.

With Premier League leaders Liverpool holding a commanding 15-point advantage, Arsenal’s best hope of silverware this season could well lie in Europe. But if they are to end their long wait for continental glory, they must now overcome the ultimate test—Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid.


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