Significantly altered As both teams wrapped off their Group B campaigns in the Champions League on Tuesday, securing positions in the last-16, Arsenal was held back to a 1-1 draw away at Dutch league leaders PSV Eindhoven.

Three minutes before halftime, Eddie Nketiah gave Arsenal the lead. However, five minutes into the second half, Yorbe Vertessen, who had earlier struck the crossbar, gave the home team an equalizer.

With nine points from their six games against PSV, the Gunners, who had already clinched top place in the group, finished ahead of third-place RC Lens, who were demoted to the Europa League.

Reiss Nelson’s square pass set up Nketiah’s first Champions League goal. Nelson’s dash down the right and pass exchange with Cedric exposed gaps in the home defense.

Vertessen, who struck the bar with a header from Jordan Teze’s cross in the 19th minute, also struck the woodwork with a curling effort that struck both posts before finding the net. After making a good run down the field, the Belgian was picked out by Ricardo Pepi as part of a quick attack by the home team.

After winning their first 15 games of the season, PSV is now atop their domestic league. However, in the 66th minute, substitute Guus Till missed an angle attempt on a breakaway that resulted in a goal, and in the final minute, Ismael Saibari’s deflected effort struck the post.

Nine minutes to go, Arsenal had the ball in the home team’s goal, but Jakub Kiwior’s header was flagged offside. With just a minute remaining in the match, PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez might have given them the win, but he produced an incredible save to stop Leandro Trossard, and Kiwior missed the rebound badly.

Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, made eight changes from the team that lost against Aston Villa on Saturday and lost first position in the Premier League. With a 4-0 victory in September’s first group match in London, it is the only team to defeat PSV this year.

About Author

Show Buttons
Hide Buttons