PSV eliminated from Champions League after 2-2 draw in London against Arsenal

PSV were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday after a respectable 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in London. Ivan Perisic and Couhaib Driouech scored for Peter Bosz's side in what was essentially a dead rubber after Arsenal had won the first leg 1-7 last week.

Peter Bosz decided to keep his top scorer, Luuk de Jong, on the bench for the game. With the team having lost the first game by a significant scoreline, the manager will have realized that a miracle was needed to advance and decided that the Eredivisie is the priority.

What already seemed like an impossible task was made even more difficult after six minutes when Oleksandr Zinchenko hit a peach of a shot from the edge of the area into the far corner. The Ukrainian did not celebrate the goal and apologized to traveling PSV fans, as he spent a year playing for the club.

PSV equalized in the 18th minute. It was a familiar name for PSV fans in the Champions League as Ivan Perisic stepped up once again. The Croatian scored in both games against Juventus in the previous round, and he added to that tally with a great finish into the far top corner.

The home team nearly made it 2-1 just before the half-hour mark. A backheel by Mikel Merino went into the path of Myles Lewis-Skelly via Adamo Nagalo, but the Arsenal fullback’s finish hit the post via PSV keeper Walter Benitez.

However, Benitez failed to keep out the next chance seven minutes later. A good run and cross from Raheem Sterling was headed into the goal by his compatriot Declan Rice to make it 2-1 for Arsenal.

Sterling should have got himself on the scoresheet shortly before halftime when he was given the whole PSV half to run into with the ball, but the chance ended with his chip hitting the chest of Benitez.

PSV came into the game a little more just after halftime. An effort from Isaac Babadi was saved by Arsenal keeper David Raya before Joey Veerman’s effort went just over the goal.

The Eindhovenaren leveled the match in the 70th minute. A mistake by Jorginho in midfield resulted in Babadi playing the pass through to Driouech and his finish was absolutely sublime. All Raya could do was watch as the winger chipped the ball high over him and into the net.

There were further chances for Sterling and De Jong, who had come off the bench, but they failed to convert the chances, resulting in a 2-2 draw.