Arsenal 1-0 PSV: 3 talking points as Gunners qualify for UEL KOs

Arsenal made it four consecutive wins in Europe with a 1-0 win over PSV at the Emirates on Thursday evening. A lone Granit Xhaka goal in the second half was enough to secure the win.

Mikel Arteta rotated his starting XI as expected, but there were stars for Gabriel Jesus, Granit Xhaka, and Bukayo Saka.

The Gunners dominated possession in the first half, with several close calls but they failed to take advantage of their superiority.

PSV were mainly reduced to bystanders as the Gunners worked the ball around nicely. Granit Xhaka’s passing in the final third was impressive, but Arsenal failed to unlock the PSV door and went into half-time at 0-0.

The second half followed a similar path to the first. Arsenal dominated the game but with nothing to show for it. That ended with a little under 20 minutes to go.

After a great overlapping run from Takehiro Tomiyasu, the Japanese full-back crossed into the box, found Granit Xhaka, and the Swiss took his shot first time, into the ground, past Walter Benitez, and into the net.

That would be the game’s only goal as the Gunners secured their place in the Europa League knockout stages.

Arsenal 1-0 PSV: 3 talking points as Gunners qualify for UEL KOs

The game provided plenty of talking points, here they are.

1. Top of Group A and cruising

The win over PSV was Arsenal’s fourth in a row in the Europa League. While some criticised Mikel Arteta’s team selection with so many first-teamers playing, we see now what it does.

With just two matchdays remaining, Arsenal are five points clear of second-placed PSV and eight points above third-placed Bodo/Glimt.

The Gunners secured their passage into the next phase; it’s just a question of whether they finish top of the group or not.

Continued on the next slide…