Arsenal drew 2-2 with PSV Eindhoven on the night, ensuring they won 9-3 on aggregate to confirm their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, setting up a blockbuster clash with either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid.
The result over two legs sees Arsenal become just the second English side to score nine or more goals across two legs of a Champions League knockout tie, giving the Gunners a huge boost going into the next round.
The Gunners picked up where they left off in the first leg, quickly opening the scoring after just six minutes when Oleksandr Zinchenko curled in a wonderful goal against his former club, and although PSV struck back through Ivan Perisic, Declan Rice was able to put Arsenal back ahead going into the half-time break.
PSV were the better side throughout the second 45 minutes, creating far more dangerous opportunities, including a sensational chipped goal from Couhaib Driouech to secure the 2-2 draw on the night, but the result done little for the visitors, who crashed out 9-3 on aggregate.
SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT
Considering the tie was virtually over after Arsenal’s 7-1 demolition of PSV in the first leg, there was understandably changes to the team and brief moments of complacency from the Gunners tonight.
Despite comfortably progressing through the tie, the performance may have slightly underwhelmed Mikel Arteta, as his side have now won only one of their last five games across all competitions.
However, their progression into the next round was ultimately all that mattered, and they will now face a challenging matchup with either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid.
ARSENAL VS. PSV HIGHLIGHTS
Oleksandr Zinchenko goal vs. PSV (6th min, Arsenal 1-0 PSV)
What a way for Arsenal to start the second leg 🚀
Oleksandr Zinchenko with a sumptuous strike against his former side PSV 💫
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/maqYL7XWHZ
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 12, 2025
Arsenal are ahead already, Zinchenko with a stunner!
David Raya kicks the ball long, and Raheem Sterling eventually controls it after several bounces, with the winger turning and cutting it inside to Zinchenko.
The Ukrainian races towards the box, cuts into a more central position and onto his left foot, and unleashes a fierce, curling effort that flies into the far-left corner.
Ivan Perisic goal vs. Arsenal (18th min, Arsenal 1-1 PSV)
Ivan Perisic levels the score on the night on his return to north London 👀
The ex-Tottenham forward probably enjoyed that one… ⚪️
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Vf74SV3J9o
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 12, 2025
Perisic with a lovely finish, PSV are level on the night!
Another long ball forward by Raya is, this time, met by a PSV head, with the ball landing at the feet of Isaac Babadi, who has plenty of space in the Arsenal half.
Babadi picks out the run of Guus Til, who passes across to Perisic, and the striker takes one touch and digs a left-footed effort out from under his feet and into the top right corner.
Declan Rice goal vs. PSV (37th min, Arsenal 2-1 PSV)
That is magical work down the wing from Raheem Sterling ✨
Sterling takes on two PSV players and puts in a cross to Declan Rice, who scores for a second successive match for Arsenal 🤝🔴
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/FgtVHLPBdj
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 12, 2025
Arsenal are ahead again, Rice with the header!
The ball is switched from left to right to Sterling, who brilliantly brings it down on his chest and bursts past two PSV players while charging towards the byline.
Sterling lofts his eventual cross into the box, where Rice perfectly meets the ball and heads his effort down the middle of Walter Benitez‘s goal and into the net.
Couhaib Driouech goal vs. Arsenal (70th min, Arsenal 2-2 PSV)
That is an 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒐𝒖𝒔 finish from Couhaib Driouech 🥶
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/1xpx4D0ZXE
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 12, 2025
PSV are level again, Driouech with a lovely chip!
Arsenal have comfortable possession as they knock the ball around the defence, but PSV are able to snatch possession just inside their own half and quickly spring forward.
Babadi swiftly releases Driouech through on goal, and the winger beautifully chips over the onrushing Raya to pull PSV level on the night.
MAN OF THE MATCH – RAHEEM STERLING
© Imago
Sterling has struggled at times since arriving at Arsenal in the summer, but the winger produced a wonderful throwback display this evening, including assisting each of their two goals.
The winger was unfortunate to not get himself on the scoresheet, missing two big chances, but the overall performance shows the immense attacking threat he carried throughout.
Several PSV players also deserve praise, producing a significantly improved display compared to the miserable showing in the 7-1 defeat in the first leg.
ARSENAL VS. PSV MATCH STATS
Possession: Arsenal 51%-49% PSV
Shots: Arsenal 9-13 PSV
Shots on target: Arsenal 7-5 PSV
Corners: Arsenal 5-4 PSV
Fouls: Arsenal 9-9 PSV
BEST STATS
45 – Raheem Sterling has registered 45 goal involvements in the UEFA Champions League (27 goals, 18 assists), with only David Beckham (52), Harry Kane (50) and Wayne Rooney (47) registering more among English players. Reminder. pic.twitter.com/INh3llqGYb
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 12, 2025
9 – Arsenal are only the second English club to score 9+ goals across two legs of a UEFA Champions League knockout tie, after Manchester City scored 10 v Schalke in the 2018-19 last 16. Rampant. pic.twitter.com/0cBia1vFZW
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 12, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Arsenal’s attention will now return to the Premier League, welcoming Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday before a break for the international matches to take place.
As for PSV, their Eredivisie title charge will get back underway when they take on RKC Waalwijk on Saturday, followed by a two-week hiatus for the international break.
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