Arsenal comfortably advanced to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals despite a spirited 2-2 draw against PSV Eindhoven in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie at the Emirates Stadium. With a commanding 7-1 victory from the first leg in Eindhoven, the Gunners entered the match with a near-unassailable lead, ultimately progressing with a 9-3 aggregate scoreline.
The night began with Arsenal asserting early dominance, as Oleksandr Zinchenko opened the scoring just six minutes into the game. The Ukrainian left-back, capitalizing on a well-worked move involving Raheem Sterling, fired home to set the tone for what seemed like another potential rout. Sterling, who has faced scrutiny over his recent form, played a pivotal role, also assisting Declan Rice’s goal later in the match. Rice’s strike, which restored Arsenal’s lead in the second half, underscored the midfielder’s growing influence in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
PSV, however, showed resilience despite their precarious position. Trailing 9-1 on aggregate at one point, the Dutch side mounted a comeback with two impressive goals. Ivan Perisic equalized for PSV after Zinchenko’s opener, and a further strike leveled the scoreline on the night. Isaac Babadi, touted as PSV’s best prospect since Cody Gakpo, tested Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya with a 20-yard effort, though Raya’s save ensured the tie remained out of reach for the visitors. PSV’s attacking intent was evident, with Johan Bakayoko also coming close, but their efforts were ultimately in vain given the first-leg deficit.
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For Arsenal, the match provided a chance to showcase their depth. Sterling’s contributions were a highlight, reminding fans and critics alike of his Champions League pedigree. His assist for Zinchenko and Rice’s goals doubled his assist tally for the night, offering a glimpse of the impact he could still have in Arteta’s plans. Meanwhile, young prospects like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who made history in the first leg as the first English teenagers to combine for a goal in the competition, were given further minutes to impress.
PSV, under Peter Bosz, fought valiantly to restore pride after their humbling 7-1 defeat in the first leg. Despite their elimination, the Dutch side’s performance in London demonstrated their attacking philosophy, even if defensive frailties were exposed over the two legs. PSV’s inability to keep a clean sheet in their last 15 away Champions League matches (conceding 33 goals in that span) proved costly, though their two goals at the Emirates offered a silver lining.
For Arsenal, the night was a celebration of their resurgence in Europe. Their 7-1 first-leg win marked the biggest away victory in the knockout stages of the Champions League, and their progression to the last eight reinforces their status as serious contenders. With five consecutive Champions League wins prior to this match, scoring 20 goals and conceding just three, Arteta’s side is peaking at the right time.