Arsenal vs PSV LIVE: Europa League result, final score and reaction as Xhaka strike gives Gunners the win
Arsenal booked their place in the Europa League knockout stages with a 1-0 win over PSV
Arsenal continued their perfect form in Europe this season while extending their winning run to eight matches in all competitions as Granit Xhaka struck the winner in a 1-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League.
The hosts dominated the first half but could not test Walter Benitez in the PSV goal, with the sides locked at 0-0 at the interval. Arsenal eventually broke the deadlock with 20 minutes to go, Xhaka finishing with aplomb from just inside the PSV box, with the midfielder’s goal securing Arsenal’s place in the knockout stages.
And the result moves Arsenal five points clear of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s PSV in Group A, ahead of their return match against the Dutch side next Thursday where they can secure top spot with at least a draw. Before then, Mikel Arteta’s side will visit Southampton in the Premier League.
Arsenal 0-0 PSV
51 mins: PSV aren’t really threatening the Gunners and the onus is on the home side to make something happen. Everything is a little flat at the minute.
Scrap that. Saka is given the ball on the edge of the box and spins off a tackle before sliding in Jesus. He arrives from the right, shifts inside of a tackle then hits a low effort at goal that Benitez drops on top of to keep it out.
Better from Arsenal!
Arsenal 0-0 PSV
48 mins: Armando Obispo attempts to push PSV forward by bringing the ball into the middle of the park but he’s closed down by Gabriel Jesus who comes away with the ball and is immediately brought down by the defender who stops Arsenal from developing a counter-attack.
Second half: Arsenal 0-0 PSV
Kick off: Arsenal get the ball rolling again for the second half with Mikel Arteta sticking with the same personnel that finished the first half.
No changes made from PSV boss, Ruud van Nistelrooy either.
HT Arsenal 0-0 PSV
PSV have won just one of their last 11 away matches against English sides (drew four, lost six), beating Tottenham in the last 16 of the Uefa Cup in 2007-08, with Jefferson Farfan scoring the game’s only goal.
They were the second best team in the first half but can they find their attacking feet in the second 45 minutes?
HT Arsenal 0-0 PSV
Can Arsenal break the deadlock in the second half?
Half-time: Arsenal 0-0 PSV
45+1 mins: Nothing to separate the two teams as half-time arrives. PSV had defended well but the Gunners have lacked a bit of rhythm and verve.
On a couple of occasions they’ve created decent chances and Bukayo Saka has looked lively but they need to move the ball quicker to really get at PSV.
Arsenal 0-0 PSV
42 mins: Close! Fabio Vieira curls his left-footed effort around the PSV wall but there’s not enough swerve on the shot to sneak it in at the near post and the ball hits the side-netting. Walter Benitez seemed to have it covered as well in PSV’s goal.
Arsenal 0-0 PSV
39 mins: Chance! Bukayo Saka cuts inside from the right and shifts away from three defenders on his way into the box. He lays the ball to Eddie Nketiah who darts on into the six-yard area and wins a corner when the defender sends it out of play.
The corner comes to Granit Xhaka outside the atra but he’s brought down and Arsenal win a free kick. Big chance coming up for Fabio Vieira here.
Arsenal 0-0 PSV
36 mins: Close! A corner from Bukayo Saka is whipped into the area where Gabriel and Sangare both leap to win the ball but it bounces off the shoulder of the Arsenal defender and looks to be heading out of play.
Jesus is alert near the back post and throw himself towards the loose ball but can’t get a head to it before it flies past and rolls out of play.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments