PSV lose 1-7 to Arsenal in biggest loss ever for a Dutch team in the Champions League
PSV suffered the biggest loss that a Dutch team has ever received in the Champions League and the biggest loss at home in the club's history against English side Arsenal on Tuesday. The Eindhovenaren were beaten 1-7 in what was another embarrassing defeat in what has been a long stretch of poor form. Noa Lang scored PSV’s solitary goal, with Jurrien Timber, Ethan Nwaneri, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard, and Riccardo Calafiori scoring for Arsenal.
The result will bring fresh criticism for manager Peter Bosz. PSV have given away their lead at the top of the Eredivisie table to Ajax, who they now trail by eight points. They were also knocked out of the KNVB Cup by Go Ahead Eagles before also losing to them in the league at the weekend.
PSV was missing Mauro Junior for the match. The Brazilian had trained on Monday but was not fit enough to take part in the game. Tyrell Malacia was playing left-back. PSV manager Peter Bosz continued to bench Joey Veerman. Jerdy Schouten and Ismael Saibari were given the nod.
Despite Arsenal’s dominance, it was PSV who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 16th minute. A cross by Ivan Perisic was knocked out by the Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya straight to Saibari, but his shot cannoned off the crossbar. The rebound fell to Ryan Flamingo, whose effort went inches wide of the goal.
However, Arsenal took the lead just two minutes later. Declan Rice put in a magnificent cross with his weaker left foot to the far post, where former Ajax defender Jurrien Timber rose above Noa Lang to head into the net.
It got worse for PSV three minutes later. Two academy graduates combined for Arsenal’s goal as Myles Lewis-Skelly’s cross was hammered into the net by Ethan Nwaneri. Lewis-Skelly was substituted midway through the first half after being possibly fortunate to escape a second yellow.
Poor defending resulted in Arsenal getting their third after half an hour played. Flamingo slipped in the box while trying to clear the ball, which placed it perfectly for Mikel Merino to finish into the far corner.
Bosz’s side was getting outclassed, but they were given a lifeline shortly before halftime. Thomas Partey fouled Luuk de Jong from a corner, which led to the referee awarding the home team a penalty. Noa Lang finished it convincingly to make it 3-1.
It almost got even closer for PSV before the halftime whistle. Malacia found De Jong in the box, but the cross was likely just about too high as the striker headed it over.
Arsenal ended PSV’s brief hope a minute into the second half. A cross by Nwaneri was palmed out by Benitez to Martin Odegaard who side-footed it into the goal. The 1-5 was scored a minute later. Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori played a great one-two before the Belgian winger beat Benitez with a deft chip.
Around 20 minutes without a goal followed before PSV conceded their sixth goal of the game. A fantastic attack from Mikel Arteta’s side was finished off by Odegaard with the help of some suspect keeping from Benitez.
The scoreline was finalized in the 85th minute when Odegaard added to his two goals in the second with an assist as he played in the Italian full-back Calafiori, whose finish was impeccable.
The return leg, which is just a formality at this point, will be played next Wednesday at 9 p.m. at the Emirates Stadium in London. PSV will first face SC Heerenveen at home on Saturday evening in the Eredivisie.
