PSV 1-7 Arsenal:Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly make Champions League history

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Lewis-Skelly & Nwaneri combine 

©IMAGO

It was a famous night for Arsenal in the Champions League as they demolished PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in the Netherlands. Mikel Arteta’s men made history as they recorded their biggest ever win in the knockout stages of the Champions League with their previous record being the 5-0 triumph over Porto in the last 16 during the 2009/10 season.

It was also Arsenal’s record away win in the history of the Champions League, edging out the 5-1 win over Sporting CP this season and the 5-1 victory over Inter Milan in 2003. Arsenal’s injury problems in attack are well-documented with Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz all unavailable but it didn’t effect them as they produced a barnstorming display.

Arsenal’s attacking issues have effectively ended their title hopes and they failed to score in their previous two Premier League games against Nottingham Forest and West Ham. But Arteta’s men turned on the style against PSV as they raced to a 3-0 goal lead within the opening half hour, courtesy of goals from Julian Timber, Ethan Nwaneri and Mikel Merino.

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard added a second half double with Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori also getting on the scoresheet in the landmark win. It was also a memorable night for two Hale End academy graduates in Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly. They became the first English teenagers to combine for a goal in Champions League history when Lewis-Skelly set up his teammate on 21 minutes. Arsenal’s attacking injuries curtailed their Premier League title prospects but Arteta will be praying Saka and Martinelli can return to end their four year trophy drought in the Champions League this season.