Arsenal 2 PSV 2 (agg 9-3): Much-changed Gunners cruise into Champions League quarters despite playing SIX left-backs
ARSENAL are back amongst the European big boys – and so is Raheem Sterling.
After knocking nine goals past a hapless PSV over two legs, the Gunners have secured back-to-back Champions League quarter finals for the first time in 15 years.
Arsenal cruised into the Champions League quarters with an aggregate 9-3 win over PSV[/caption]
The Gunners fielded SIX left-backs as they drew 2-2 on the night[/caption]
Raheem Sterling had a blinding game for the Gunners[/caption]
Their Prem title hopes may be dashed and injuries continue to cripple them this term, but boss Mikel Arteta has the North Londoners back where they feel they belong on the grandest stage in football.
That’s despite Arsenal’s injury crisis forcing the Spaniard to field SIX left-backs during Wednesday’s game.
The last time that was the case was under Arsene Wenger, reaching the last eight in 2008 and 2010 – with a semi-final appearance wedged in between in 2009.
And there is a growing belief they can go one better than their quarter final defeat to Bayern Munich last term, meeting Atletico Madrid this time around.
Miracles can happen – just look at Sterling.
The 30-year-old has spent the majority of this campaign sat on the bench, withering away, crying out for minutes and momentum after failing to make an impression on loan from Chelsea.
With accusations his legs had gone, he finally got his chance here – and took it. In just his THIRD 90-minute outing of the season, two first-half assists teed up Oleksandr Zinchenko and Declan Rice.
He now has 45 goal involvements in the Champions League (27 goals and 18 assists). Only England legends David Beckham (52), Harry Kane (50) and Wayne Rooney (47) have more.
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The irony is that, after picking up a booking in second half injury time, Sterling will now miss their quarter final first leg.
Boy do they need Bukayo Saka back from injury sooner rather than later.
Arsenal were never in any danger of failing to progress last night after a record-breaking 7-1 score line out in Eindhoven last week.
The visitors earned a second leg draw at the Emirates through goals from Ivan Perisic and Couhaib Driouech, but this was a rare game without any sort of jeopardy or tension.
With PSV making five changes, it is why Arteta also opted to experiment with his line-up.
A front three of Sterling, Kieran Tierney and Mikel Merino starting a Champions League last 16 clash will be giving Arsenal fans nightmares for weeks.
Oleksandr Zinchenko opened the scoring for Arsenal[/caption]
The ace refused to celebrate after spending time on loan at PSV earlier in his career[/caption]
How many Championship clubs would swap their attacking trio for that? It is certainly a world away from first-choice starters Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz.
Tierney was one of THREE left-backs starting, alongside Zinchenko and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
There was method to the madness. Martinelli has only just returned from injury and, alongside right back Jurrien Timber, is a booking away from missing next month’s quarter final.
There was good news at the back. A first start for Ben White since November 10 after his knee operation to complete a muddled-looking outfield that had shades of Hackney Marshes about it.
PSV pulled one back to stun the Emirates[/caption]
The goal came from ex-Tottenham winger Ivan Perisic[/caption]
The Emirates atmosphere was being fuelled solely by the away end, packed and bouncing over an hour before kick-off dreaming of one of the most improbable comebacks in football history.
That lasted all of six minutes. Sterling won the ball and a nice pivot pass sent Zinchenko driving goal wards, darting left and curling a beauty into the far corner.
The Ukrainian refused to celebrate, holding his hands up apologetically, paying homage to the 17 appearances he made on loan at PSV back in 2016/17.
His teammates barely jumped with joy either – another unnecessary nail in the already-sealed coffin.
Declan Rice restored Arsenal’s lead before half time[/caption]
The ace fired home with a fine header[/caption]
Yet the visitors were still keen to play a minor role in this North London exhibition, and who else but an old Tottenham foe in Ivan Perisic – the man whose taunts before last week’s first leg backfired spectacularly.
Gabriel switched off as Guus Til slipped Perisic in behind before a cute chipped finish over David Raya in the 19th minute. The Dutch travellers erupted ironically in the corner.
The Arsenal No.1 was called into more action, tipping a shot from winger Couhaib Driouech around his post. Arteta was irritable, demanding more than the six-goal advantage his team already had.
Merino’s back-heeled flick sent Lewis-Skelly through with a jabbed effort that bobbled onto the post.
There was still time for PSV to find another goal[/caption]
And then, Sterling rolled back the years with another assist, doubling his entire tally for the season, dinking a 37th minute delivery onto the head of an onrushing Rice.
Remarkable what a bit of confidence does, even if he later fluffed two chances to find the net.
Arsenal continued to cruise after the break – perhaps why PSV were gifted another goal as Driouech lobbing Raya in the 70th minute.
Not that the home crowd cared one jot. They have the Madrid sunshine on their minds.
Mikel Arteta was delighted with his side’s performance[/caption]
Arsenal will be heading to Spain in the quarters[/caption]
