Unless there is an extraordinary comeback, Arsenal are set to advance to the Champions League quarter-finals following Wednesday’s last-16 second leg against PSV Eindhoven at home.
In the first leg, Arsenal delivered a stunning 7-1 victory over Peter Bosz’s side, breaking multiple records, although Mikel Arteta’s team reverted to a more subdued performance in the Premier League over the weekend.
Despite the impressive scoreline, Arsenal were fortunate in some moments in Eindhoven, with Ismael Saibari hitting the woodwork from close range and Myles Lewis-Skelly narrowly avoiding a third red card of the season before his early substitution. However, when Arsenal pressed forward, they were clinical, converting seven out of eight shots on target, marking the first time a team has scored seven goals away in a Champions League knockout match.
After what should be a relatively comfortable home fixture, Arsenal could face either Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. They also have the chance to set another Champions League record on Wednesday, aiming to become only the second English club to score 10 goals across a two-legged tie, following Manchester City’s 10-2 victory over Schalke in 2018-19. The Gunners have won their last four European matches at the Emirates without conceding.
However, Arsenal’s dominant display in Eindhoven did not carry over into the Premier League, where a fine strike from Declan Rice earned a 1-1 draw against Manchester United, leaving securing a top-four finish as the team’s primary focus.
For PSV fans making the trip to the Emirates, the defeat in Eindhoven was a stark contrast to their solid performance against Juventus in the playoffs. Whether that highlights Arsenal’s strength or Juventus’ weaknesses is up for debate, but it’s clear that PSV’s Champions League journey will end in North London, extending their wait for a first quarter-final appearance since the 2006-07 season.
