Arsenal delivered a record-breaking performance in Eindhoven, thrashing PSV 7-1 in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie. Mikel Arteta’s side dominated from start to finish, becoming the first team in Champions League history to score seven goals in an away knockout match.
Jurrien Timber opened the scoring in the 18th minute before 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri doubled the lead. Mikel Merino added a third before PSV pulled one back through a Noa Lang penalty. However, Arsenal responded emphatically, with Martin Ødegaard and Leandro Trossard scoring within three minutes of the second half restart. Ødegaard then grabbed his second before Riccardo Calafiori netted the seventh.
This win marks Arsenal’s longest Champions League winning streak since 2004-05, and their biggest European away victory since 1993. After struggling to score in their previous two games, Arteta praised his team’s ruthlessness but emphasized that “there’s still a job to do in London.”
Youngsters Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly impressed, with Nwaneri becoming the third-youngest player to score in a Champions League knockout match. Declan Rice highlighted the teenager’s hunger and work ethic, stating, “He deserves to be playing.”
Arsenal now have one foot in the quarter-finals, where they will likely face either Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid. With their attacking firepower on display, the Gunners have sent a strong message to the rest of Europe: they are serious contenders for the title.
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