Match Report – Match Highlights – Post-Match Press Conference
Final Result: PSV 1-1 Arsenal (Vertessen 50? | Nketiah 42′)
Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Kiwior, Saliba (White 61′), Gabriel, Cedric (Rice 61′); Jorginho, Elneny (Odegaard 61′), Havertz (Smith Rowe 89′); Trossard, Nelson (G. Jesus 89′), Nketiah
As expected, Mikel Arteta made wholesale changes to the team that featured against PSV Eindhoven, with Aaron Ramsdale making his coveted Champions League debut in goal. In defense, there isn’t much depth in the center back positions, so Gabriel and William Saliba reprised in their roles after the Aston Villa visit, but Jakub Kiwior and Cedric Soares (yes, Cedric still exists!) featured in the full back slots.
The midfield overhaul saw Jorginho lead the side with Mohamed Elneny playing in the double pivot in the middle of the park. I expected Emile Smith Rowe to play the attacking midfield role, but that honor went to Kai Havertz. The attacking trio were Reiss Nelson, Leandro Trossard and Eddie Nketiah.
PSV started well with Malik Tillman threading a neat through ball in behind Kiwior to Johan Bakayoko on the right. The winger drilled his cut back to the danger area but it was blocked by the Arsenal defense. However, a rebound fell to Ricardo Pepi whose shot clattered off Ramsdale over the bar.
Arsenal’s first attempt was a rather poor one, with Kai Havertz attacking a dead ball and nodding it wide off the mark. PSV continued to get the better chances with Gabriel committing himself to a block that didn’t happen, and after a transition play Yorbo Vertessen fired a shot to the near post that was tipped by Ramsdale to the post. Shortly afterwards, Mo Elneny fashioned a chance for himself from deep and blasted a shot that went past Walter Benitez but clipped the post.
Arsenal opened the scoring from some intricate passing play between Cedric and Nelson, who teed up Nketiah with a one-time pass and the forward fired a shot through Andre Ramalho’s leg to the far corner. For a player that hardly had a sniff all game, it was a good goal from Nketiah.
Bakayoko gave Kiwior a torrid time on the flank, and after some good attacking play, his shot was saved by Ramsdale. PSV got their well deserved equalizer after Saliba got caught out further up pitch, allowing Ismael Saibari to bare down on goal, fed Pepi who cushioned it for Vertessen. The winger picked his spot and curled it past Ramsdale to equalize the tie.
Nelson showed some good footwork at the edge of the area to create a chance for himself and hit the side netting. Gabriel and Kiwior attacked an inswinger from Martin Odegaard but the Brazilian defender was offside. Late on, Trossard received a dinked header from Jesus and missed at point blank range, which turned out to be the last attack of the game.
There were some valuable minutes for Smith Rowe but I wish he played earlier. The exciting kids, Ethan Nwaneri, Reuell Walters and Lino Souza had to make do with a spot on the bench and couldn’t come on due to the game dynamics, even if I wish they got a chance to strut their stuff.
It was a good runout with Arsenal and PSV already securing qualification to the knockout out stages of the competition.
Sayonara.
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