Arsenal 4-0 PSV: Player ratings as Gunners dazzle on UCL return

Arsenal celebrated their return to the Champions League with an emphatic 4-0 victory over PSV on Wednesday night.

It was a frenetic opening at the Emirates with the Gunners seemingly keen to make up for lost time against a PSV side that surrendered plenty of space in the middle of the park. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring for the hosts inside ten minutes before turning provider for Leandro Trossard, whose pinpoint effort doubled Arsenal’s lead.

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The visitors have as much as they got, however, and posed a threat at the other end with Noa Lang particularly impressive, but the Gunners defended their box well to ensure David Raya wasn’t tested early on.

Arsenal then added a third through the effusive Gabriel Jesus, who had previously been denied by Walter Benitez on a couple of occasions.

There was an element of control to the second half which had ceased to exist in the opening period, and Mikel Arteta was quick to make changes with the Spaniard having one eye on Sunday’s North London Derby.

Chances were less frequent after the restart, although there was time for Arsenal to grab a fourth as Martin Odegaard capped off a fine display with an equally majestic strike from distance.

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Odegaard’s strike wrapped up what was a perfect evening for the Gunners under the bright Emirates lights. We’re back in the big time, ladies and gentlemen. My word, it feels good!

Arsenal 4-0 PSV player ratings

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their rout of PSV.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) – 7/10 – Arsenal’s excellent box defending meant PSV didn’t test Raya to the degree they wanted to, but the Spaniard was commanding from crosses and his distribution was near-perfect.

Ben White (RB) – 7/10 – Made use of Lang’s reluctance to defend in the first half as he overloaded PSV down the right by marauding into the final third. Lang gave him something to think about defensively, but White held firm for the most part.

William Saliba (CB) – 8/10 – Made for nights like these. Saliba made use of Luuk de Jong’s ability by constantly driving out of defence, while the Frenchman defended the box supremely when PSV threatened.

Gabriel (CB) – 8/10 – Had a hand in the third goal with a delightful pass in behind, and, like Saliba, was excellent when asked to defend his box.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) – 7/10 – Suited to nights like these when the Emirates turf is a bit greasy. His passes zip across the surface. Did a pretty good job against Johan Bakayoko, too.

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