ARSENAL steamrolled a hapless PSV side to all but book their place in the Champions League quarter-final.
The Gunners started without a recognised striker once again but unlike at Nottingham Forest last week, goals were not a problem tonight.
A quick-fire double from Jurrien Timber and Ethan Nwaneri around the 20th minute put the Gunners in control in what was an assured display.
Every Arsenal player impressed and they were clinical with their finishing.
Only Myles Lewis-Skelly will feel a little disappointed as he was hooked after half an hour to avoid him picking up a second yellow.
It was a shame as the youngster was performing well on the ball – he played a key role in the build-up to the opening goal but he could not be trusted by Mikel Arteta after he dived and caught his man with a challenge that could easily have resulted in a second booking.
It was another careless moment that allowed PSV back into the match as Thomas Partey conceded a penalty that was converted on the stroke of half-time.
But the Gunners did not rest on their laurels and came out racing after the break, scoring twice in two minutes to put the match, and the tie, to bed.
Here is how SunSport’s Kealan Hughes rated the Gunners display.
David Raya – 7
Nothing he could do about the penalty.
Commanded his box well but was barely tested by a lacklustre PSV attack.
Jurrien Timber – 8
Attacked the far post well to head Arsenal in front.
Bombed forward and showed some clever touches in the attacking final third, while also keeping a tight lid on Noa Lang.
He has really made the right-back position his own in recent weeks – White could struggle to get back into the team now he is fit again.
William Saliba – 7
As assured as a display you will see without having a lot to deal with.
Sprayed the ball out from defence effectively, and will now likely be given a rest for the return leg.
Gabriel – 7
Like his defensive partner, he was calm on the ball and built attacks while marshalling his defence well.
Did not give Luuk de Jong a sniff, whose only joy all night was the penalty he won from Partey grabbing him around the neck.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 4
Did well for Arsenal’s second as he reached the byline before crossing to his Hale End pal to score.
Was booked after 25 minutes and was very fortunate to escape a second just moments later. He was hooked after Merino’s goal just after the half-hour mark.
Thomas Partey – 6
Gave away a needless penalty with his side cruising and going into half-time 3-0 up.
Could have no complaints either as he had his arm around De Jong’s neck.
Declan Rice – 9
Controlled the ball brilliantly in the box before finding space to whip in a perfect cross for Timber to score the opener.
He had found the bottom corner with precision moments earlier but the long-range strike was ruled out for offside.
Showed a lot more intensity than recent games, got forward often and looked a threat every time he did.
Martin Odegaard – 9
Had a simple finish for his first after good work from Nwaneri.
Took his second very well, darting inside and passing a couple of markers before firing in – it was straight at the keeper but he could only palm it into the net.
Produced the assist of the match with a wonderful outside-of-the-boot pass for Calafiori’s goal.
Ethan Nwaneri – 9
Took his goal expertly. An effortless first-time finish which he blasted past the keeper from Lewis-Skelly’s cutback.
Did very well for the Gunners’ fourth goal as he beat his defender before firing a low cross that was not dealt with, resulting in Odegaard firing home.
He was a menace throughout and was perhaps Arsenal’s biggest attacking threat – not bad for Arsenal’s second-youngest Champions League appearance maker.
Leandro Trossard – 8
Clever pass into Rice in the build-up to the opening goal.
An even smarter chip put his side 5-1 up after Calafiori’s slipped pass.
Mikel Merino – 7
Started up-front again and this time it paid off. However it took some of the most shambolic defending to set up the Spaniard.
A myriad of errors culminated in Ryan Flamingo passing straight to the makeshift striker who slotted in.
He otherwise showed some good touches and acted as a lynchpin for a more dynamic Gunners attack than usual.
Subs
Riccardo Calafiori (for Lewis-Skelly, 33mins) – 7
Delivered an assist for Trossard and looked to support the attack as often as he could, scoring his side’s seventh late on.
But unlike last Tuesday he remained concentrated at the back too.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (for Partey, 71mins) – 6
Brought on to help see out the match and he did so, keeping possession well.
Came very close to scoring with a low shot that produced a good save from the keeper.
Raheem Sterling (for Nwaneri, 71mins) – 5
Brought on up-front but he was not involved much.
Ben White (for Timber, 77mins) – 6
Shored up the defence as he continues to build his fitness after returning from injury.
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