Arsenal secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals after a 2-2 draw against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday, completing a dominant 9-3 aggregate victory. The Gunners will face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the next round.
Having crushed the Dutch champions 7-1 in the first leg, Arsenal entered the second leg at the Emirates Stadium with a commanding lead. Despite making seven changes from their 1-1 Premier League draw against Manchester United, Mikel Arteta’s side started strongly.
Early Goals and Arsenal’s Fast Start
Arsenal took the lead in the 6th minute when Oleksandr Zinchenko finished a smooth attacking move. Raheem Sterling, making a rare start under Arteta, found his former Manchester City teammate, who drifted across the box before firing a powerful left-footed strike past PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez.
PSV responded in the 18th minute through Ivan Perisic, who blasted a stunning shot past David Raya to level the score. Moments later, Raya produced a crucial fingertip save to deny Couhaib Driouech, who was a lively presence throughout the match.
Arsenal restored their lead in the 37th minute when Sterling delivered a teasing cross from the right, allowing Declan Rice to head home and make it 2-1 on the night.
PSV Fight Back but Fall Short
The visitors, eager to regain pride after their first-leg humiliation, continued to push after halftime. Raya was called into action again, making a spectacular diving save to deny Isaac Babadi 10 minutes into the second half.
PSV found a deserved equaliser in the 70th minute through Driouech, a Moroccan youth international making his first Champions League start. He lifted the ball over the onrushing Raya to make it 2-2.
Despite their late surge, PSV could not find a winner, allowing Arsenal to comfortably progress to the quarter-finals.
Awaiting a Spanish Showdown
Arsenal’s next opponent will be decided between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, who were locked 2-2 on aggregate at the end of normal time.
The Gunners, who have never won the Champions League and last claimed a European trophy in 1994 (the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup), will hope to continue their impressive run despite their recent struggles in the Premier League.
