PSV dominate Arteta's Gunners

After a fairly balanced first half, both sides went into the break goalless. PSV were unlucky to not be ahead after putting the ball into the net twice, both times being ruled out for offside. The home side grabbed an opener early on in the second half, which was added to by De Jong's header after a bad Ramsdale mistake. The victory takes PSV to within two points of Arsenal in Group A, and extends their long home unbeaten run to seven.

Arsenal started the match strongly, pressing early on, but were unable to find any sort of breakthrough past a firm PSV defense. The Dutch side were slowly working their way into the match and had their first chance on goal disallowed due to offside. This did not stop their efforts, and around 20 minutes later the same story happened, with Arsenal lucky to survive the onslaught.

The second half saw the introduction of De Jong, who proved to be game-changing for the home side, as his impact was immediately felt, hassling the Gunners' centre-backs from the get-go. After just over 10 minutes into the second half, PSV found the deserved opener, as Veerman found himself in space and comfortably slotted past an out-stretched Ramsdale, 1-0. 

With this first goal, Arsenal's suffering did not end, as only seven minutes later De Jong got on the score sheet. It came from a corner which Ramsdale failed to punch clear, therefore landing sweetly on the Dutchman's head and finding the back of the net. For the remaining half-hour of the clash The Gunners were unable to pose a real threat to the PSV goal, only managing to produce one clear chance which was frantically dealt with by the home side's defence.

This victory qualifies PSV for the knock-out stages and just two points off Arsenal in Group A, and will see the Gunners in need of all three points to guarantee top spot.

 

October 27, 2022