PSV 1-7 Arsenal: Record-breaking Gunners enjoy carnival season in Eindhoven
Eindhoven has been packed with carnivals in recent days, but on Tuesday, Arsenal enjoyed his own party in the city, overcame their goal crisis and set a Champions League record in the process.
Mikel Arteta’s side became the first team in Champions League history, defeating PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in the knockout stage of the game, scoring seven goals from home in the knockout stage.
It was the biggest goal scored in a game since the Gunners beat Newcastle 7-3 13 years ago.
The Arsenal manager said the victory made his players “joy, confident and faith” but was not taken away when asking him questions about the records his team broke.
“It’s a thing that’s not done, it’s a pleasure to be a part of it,” Arteta said. “But as a team we want to achieve many other things that are more important than that.
“The happiest thing is that we are in a very strong position to go to the next round, and that’s where we want it.
“But in a week, there is still a job to do in London.”
Arteta may not have seen such a victory after failing to score in the last two games, Nottingham Forest draws 0-0 and West Ham beat him 1-0.
Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live said: “This will give them confidence for the rest of the season. From the beginning, Arsenal can control the game.”
“Arsenal’s completion was ruthless, and the final third of the combination was shocking.
“Martin Odegaard looked back at his best. For a man, they were really strong and the matchup of the centre-backs (Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba) was excellent.
“Arsenal will stop in this game.”
England and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was one of the players selected for their performance in the game and said the Gunners have been awarded for their hard work in recent weeks.
Rice, who was excluded from offside targets, said Arsenal was “liquid” and had “passion, drive and hunger” in the knockout stage.
“But we’ve been playing all season,” he added. “We feel like we’re doing well as a team. Sometimes we score five, sometimes two, sometimes we don’t score, but (on Tuesday) we’re doing well. It’s all clicked.”
Arsenal lack of a recognized striker has a good record, with Gabriel Jesus and Kay Javitz both injured. But six different players contributed to the rout on Tuesday – Odegaard scored twice, as well as goals from Jurrien Timber, Mikel Merino, Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori.
The highlighted victory means Arsenal can start planning a trip to Madrid as they will win between Real Madrid and the Arena, who beat Carlo Ancelotti 2-1. The second leg of next week takes place in the arena.
