Arsenal had six different goal scorers in their 7-1 win over PSV.
Image credit: ESPN UK
Arsenal turned their trip to Eindhoven into a celebration, brushing aside their recent goal-scoring struggles with a dominant 7-1 victory over PSV in the Champions League knockout stages.
Mikel Arteta’s side made history, becoming the first team to score seven away goals in a Champions League knockout match.
The emphatic win not only ended Arsenal’s two-game goal drought but also marked their highest-scoring performance since a 7-3 Premier League victory over Newcastle 13 years ago.
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Arteta’s Take: Progress Over Records
While Arsenal’s record-breaking feat grabbed headlines, Arteta remained focused on the bigger picture.
“For sure, it’s something that hasn’t been done, so great to be part of that,” he said. “But as a team, we want to achieve many other things that are far more important.”
The Arsenal boss emphasized that the primary goal remains securing a place in the next round. With a second leg still to play in London, Arteta urged his team to stay grounded.
Ruthless Arsenal Back to Their Best
The Gunners, who had struggled to score in recent weeks, were clinical from the start. Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton praised their dominance on BBC Radio 5 Live:
“Arsenal were ruthless with their finishing. Some of the combination play in the final third was sensational. Martin Odegaard looked back to his best, and that center-back pairing of Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba is phenomenal.”
Midfielder Declan Rice echoed the sentiment, noting that Arsenal’s performance was a result of their hard work.
“We’ve been playing like this all season. Sometimes we score five, sometimes two, sometimes we don’t, but tonight everything clicked,” Rice said.
Despite missing a recognized striker with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz injured, Arsenal spread the goals across six different players.
Odegaard led the charge with two, while Jurrien Timber, Mikel Merino, Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard, and Riccardo Calafiori also found the net.
Teen Sensation Nwaneri Shines Again
Arsenal’s 17-year-old star Ethan Nwaneri continued to impress, scoring his eighth goal of the season.
Filling in for the injured Bukayo Saka, Nwaneri has taken his opportunity with confidence, putting him in elite company.
With 16 days left before his 18th birthday, he is close to matching the teenage goal records of Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney, both of whom scored nine goals at 17.
Arteta praised the youngster’s mentality:
“I’m really impressed with the way he behaves and the way he plays. It’s about consistency now.”
Nwaneri also became the third-youngest player to score in a Champions League knockout match, following Bojan (17 years, 217 days) and Jude Bellingham (17 years, 289 days).
“He’s 17 years old and playing on the biggest stage,” said Rice. “Even if Saka were here, Ethan would still be getting minutes because he’s that good.”
Looking Ahead: Madrid Awaits?
With Arsenal virtually assured of progressing, their next challenge could be a showdown in Madrid.
The Gunners are set to face the winner of Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg.
For now, Arsenal will look to carry their momentum forward, with Arteta urging his team to remain focused.
“There’s still a job to do in London,” he reminded them.
With performances like this, Arsenal’s Champions League journey is shaping up to be one to remember.