From a team that had forgotten how to score, they suddenly couldn't stop.
What an incredible turning point for Arsenal when they Blitz PSV Eindhoven to be as good as booking their place in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. They scored seven yes, seven – and didn't even have a fit center Vooruit.
Jurrien Timber, Ethan Nwaneri, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard (twice), Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori were all on goal and did not have to score in their previous two Premier League matches, they enjoyed a record win in this competition.
Nwaneri, after 17 years and 348 days, the second youngest Arsenal player who played in a knockout match for Champions League, was simply incredible in a fascinating victory.
This boy is something very special. Nwaneri slid all night over the field, scored and showed that he already belongs in the largest stage in Europe. Odegaard was brilliant when he answered a few critics. The whole team was beautiful.
Arsenal was too good, too strong and humiliated PSV. Europe is the last chance of Mikel Arteta on silverware this season and they looked determined to seize the initiative.
It was wood that had spoken about changing the story before the game. Arteta spoke about finding extra gears in this competition. And Arsenal did both things.
The Premier League title has almost disappeared, but Arsenal delivered a much needed and timely memory of their quality. And if this is playing, they will feel they can win.
You could see that this was immediately another Arsenal version. After they fail when they could not score against West Ham and Nottingham Forest, they pushed ahead with a real threat and intention.
The night actually started with a huge dismissal for Arsenal. Keeper David Raya pushed the cross from Ivan Perisic to Ismael Saibari who hit the ball against the bar. Ryan Flamingo missed the follow-up.
Arsenal then fully benefited – and never looked back. The opening goal came after 18 minutes. Rice produced a sensational piece of skill in the box while he dummaged, turned and then over a left foot cross that went through wood home.
It released the pressure valve and suddenly arsenal was transformed. They received a second three minutes later. Myles Lewis-Skelly did a good job, withdrew a ball for Nwaneri who shot home in the nearby pole.
It released the pressure valve and suddenly arsenal was transformed. They received a second three minutes later. Myles Lewis-Skelly did a good job, withdrew a ball for Nwaneri who shot home in the nearby pole.
Lewis-Skelly was very lucky at the time. He was booked for an awkward mistake and, only a few minutes later, he stumbled Richard Ledezma from PSV and it should have been a second yellow card. But referee Manzano left him away and he was replaced shortly afterwards by Calafiori.
Arsenal then received a third after 31 minutes. There was a terrible mix-up in the PSV box. Flamingo could not be cleared, Merino grabbed the chance and shot in the bottom far corner. It was offside after a long VAR check.
PSV gave himself short hope after Thomas Partey had made an awkward challenge in a corner, Luuk de Jong caught and admitted a penalty. PSV forward Noa long it hit home.
But Arsenal confirmed himself at the start of the second half. Nwaneri dropped to the right, his crotch was only posted by PSV keeper Walter Benitez and there was Odegaard to hit home.
It soon got even better. Leandro Trossard connected brilliant with Calafiori on the left, Calafiori returned a pass to Trossard who then shot Benitez for a fifth goal.
Odegaard made it even better. He made a point of midfield, unleashed a shot from the edge of the box and it wriggled through the hands of the keeper. PSV fans started to leave en masse.
There was still time for Calafiori to get a seventh when he ran through Ball and Striker Home on Odegaard's.
Arsenal -fans enjoyed their night and celebrated with songs of “Who did the ball in the PSVNet? Half of our F *** ING team did it. “It was an unforgettable night.
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