Morning all.
The Champions League music played. The rain was falling hard but that didn’t stop the fans from expressing their feelings of excitement, anticipation and perhaps even expectation.
PSV, a club steeped in European football history, at least as far as always being involved in it goes, our toughest opponents in the group, were the challenge for this young Arsenal side under a manager making his debut in the competition.
Three changes to the starting eleven at Goodison Park with Jesus in place of Nketiah, Havertz and Trossard replacing the injured Martinelli and Vieira.
Let me start by saying that before a ball was kicked last night, PSV hadn’t lost a game since the first game of the season. They’d been scoring goals for fun whilst conceding few. This, according to the pundits and media, was going to be a tough challenge for Arsenal. As it turned out, it wasn’t.
Bukayo Saka opened the scoring after Benitez, the PSV keeper, could only palm a Martin Odegaard shot into the path of our young Englishman. Saka’s eyes must have lit up as he said thank you very much, I’m having that. Bang, 1-0. Leandro Trossard, a wonderful player to watch on the ball made it 2-0 with a super strike from distance. The ball from Saka was perfectly placed, perfectly weighted and without needing a first touch, perfectly struck by the Belgian.
2-0 became 3-0, Gabriel Jesus the scorer this time. A lovely pass provided by Trossard, a fine finish from the Brazilian.
After the break, we scored one more. This time from the boot of captain Martin Odegaard and again, it was a shot from distance. Perfect in every way.
In truth, Mikel Arteta’s team could have won by a much greater margin. 8-0 wouldn’t have been a flattering scoreline but that wasn’t because PSV were rubbish, it was because Arsenal were good. The Dutch team weren’t sitting back and defending as I thought they might, at times anyway, in fact our wide players were allowed far too much much freedom, but I’m not complaining. PSV obviously came to have a go, knowing full well that we can be vulnerable in defence, but everything they tried, Arsenal dealt with comfortably.
Mikel Arteta used all five of his substitutions with Jesus, Saka, Trossard, Zinchenko and Rice replaced with Nelson, Tomiyasu, Jorginho, Nelson and ESR. Minutes on the pitch is what they needed and they got it. Many more to come I hope.
I thought Arsenal as a team were excellent. Saka enjoyed himself out on the right, especially as for the first time in a long long time, he wasn’t getting doubled up on or on the receiving end of a number of rough challenges. Odegaard was fantastic too, as was our midfield boss, Rice. The defending was solid, often a delight to watch. Raya is certainly Mr cool, calm and collected. Unflappable, unfazed and undeniably, very very good. Trossard, what a fantastic player he is.
PSV’s downfall was that they came to The Emirates to play football. Refreshing as that is these days, it’s perhaps naive. As they attacked, Arsenal defended superbly but as Arsenal attacked, they exploited the space afforded them. Arsenal in transition were sharper, the passing more crisp and accurate and the finishing more clinical. If it wasn’t for Benitez having a decent game, Mikel aarteta might have been able to make his five changes a lot earlier.
The other game in our group ended in a draw. Perfect for Arsenal. Next for Mikel Arteta’s men in the Champions League is a short trip to France to play Lens on the 3rd October.
Anyway, a great start to Arsenal’s Champions League journey, I don’t think it could have gone better.
Next up though is a NLD, another club who have started the season really well. A club who pundits are raving over again. Mind you, they were raving about PSV before Arsenal tore them to shreds.
Catch up in the comments.
Oh yes, Jesus is very good, very, very good. What an incredible first touch on his goal. The spin of the ball back towards him, his movements, and runs world class. Last night was how football was supposed to be played, unlike the constant rugby that is played in EPL.
And by the way, the way Havertz held up the ball for the goal, that’s one of the abilities he brings to the side that the team lacks. Give the dude a chance he will be good. I said the same about Viera last season, and now he’s showing his abilities.
That performance was well worth getting soaking wet for.
Shifting up the gears.
Pete, was the atmosphere as good as the pundits said? Even on the TV it sounded fab.
I’ve only seen the 2nd part yet. I’ll watch the 1st one in a bit, although I’ve already seen the goals.
Vieira also entered.
Thanks Rico,
A wonderful night, credit to everyone,maybe PSV made it easy but we put them away ruthlessly. Interesting to see current (Tierney) former favourites (Torreria,Sanchez) and other former players (Guendouzi,Mkhitaryan) in the Champions League.
On to Sunday.
Afternoon Rico and all, With the players confident up, this weekend’s match should be good. Arteta might stick with the same team.
Agree Limey and we as a team can only deal with who we face.
Hi Rico
Yes the atmosphere was good. The crowd was enthusiastic and I noticed a lot of younger faces. Very few empty seats. The Arsenal fans in the Stadium have really bought into the Arteta project.
If Spurs play like PSV did yesterday it will be lambs to the slaughter.
Hi Pete, good to hear. Very different from the internet fans then. 😆
New post up