Arsenal put on a show in Eindhoven, dismantling PSV 7-1 in an electrifying Champions League performance that shattered records and reignited their attacking spark. It was the biggest away win ever in the knockout stages of the competition—an emphatic statement from Mikel Arteta’s men.
After struggling to find the back of the net in their last two games, Arsenal turned frustration into firepower, with six different players getting on the scoresheet. Martin Odegaard bagged a brace, while Jurrien Timber, Mikel Merino, Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard, and Riccardo Calafiori added to the tally in a ruthless attacking display.
This was Arsenal’s most dominant win since their 7-3 thrashing of Newcastle 13 years ago, and while the history books will remember the numbers, Arteta kept his feet firmly on the ground.
“For sure, it’s something special, but we want to achieve bigger things than breaking records,” he said. “The most important thing is that we are in a strong position to reach the next round.”
A Performance Full of Confidence
Arsenal’s recent struggles in front of goal had raised concerns, but in Eindhoven, they looked like a team reborn. From the first whistle, they took control, slicing through PSV’s defense with precision and fluid movement.
BBC pundit Chris Sutton was full of praise, calling the performance “ruthless” and highlighting the brilliance of Odegaard alongside the rock-solid defensive pairing of Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba.
Declan Rice, whose own goal was ruled out for offside, echoed the feeling that this kind of performance had been brewing.
“We’ve been playing well all season,” Rice said. “Sometimes the goals come, sometimes they don’t. But tonight, everything clicked.”
With the tie effectively sealed, Arsenal can now turn their attention to a potential quarter-final showdown with one of Madrid’s giants, Real or Atletico.
Ethan Nwaneri: A Star in the Making
If Arsenal’s attack was dazzling, Ethan Nwaneri’s rise to prominence was another shining storyline. The 17-year-old, trusted to step in for the injured Bukayo Saka, showed why Arteta has such faith in him. His goal took his season tally to eight, putting him on the same trajectory as some of England’s greatest teenage talents, including Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney.
In scoring, Nwaneri became the third-youngest player ever to net in a Champions League knockout game, behind only Bojan Krkić and Jude Bellingham.
“He’s only 17 and already proving himself at this level,” Rice said. “Even if Saka was fit, Ethan would still be getting minutes. He’s that good.”
Fellow Hale End graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly also started but was withdrawn in the first half to avoid the risk of a second yellow card. Odegaard, who knows what it’s like to be a teenage star, praised the duo’s composure.
“They play like they’ve been here for years,” the captain said. “There’s so much confidence and quality in them. We love having them in the team.”
Arsenal now return to London with the job all but done, but bigger challenges lie ahead. If they can maintain this level of performance, who’s to say they can’t go all the way in this competition?
