Arsenal produce 4-0 masterclass on UCL return

Arsenal delivered an emphatic performance on their return to Europe’s premier competition, securing a 4-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven in their Champions League Group B opener at the Emirates Stadium. Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus, and Martin Odegaard found the back of the net in a dominant performance for the Gunners at home.

Playing in the Champions League for the first time in six years, Mikel Arteta picked a full-strength Arsenal outfit against the Eredivisie runners-up, with David Raya continuing in goal at the expense of Aaron Ramsdale.

Eager to kickstart their Champions League journey on a high, Arsenal burst out of the gates in North London and took just eight minutes to find the lead. Bukayo Saka began the proceedings for Arsenal on his Champions League debut, with the winger rifling home from close distance after Martin Odegaard’s shot was parried by Walter Benitez.

Gabriel Jesus should have doubled Arsenal’s lead moments later but failed to get on the end of Ben White’s cross across the face of the post. The Gunners, though, continued to threaten the PSV defence and found a second goal on 20 minutes through Leandro Trossard. Gabriel Jesus linked up with Bukayo Saka, who squared the ball for the oncoming Belgian to fire a pinpoint shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Arsenal kept knocking on the door of a third throughout the half, with Kai Havertz skying his chance and Benitez making a fine save to deny Gabriel Jesus. However, the Brazilian got his goal before the break on his first start of the season, smashing home his effort into the top corner from a Trossard assist to put Arsenal 3-0 in front.

Taking a comfortable lead into the second half, Arsenal entered cruised control after the break. Emile Smith Rowe came on to a rousing reception from the Gunners’ faithful for his first appearance of the season and was immediately involved in the action for the fourth goal. The Englishman linked up with fellow substitute Reiss Nelson, who teed up Martin Odegaard to put the finishing touches on a near-perfect Arsenal performance by adding a fourth with a thunderous strike.

The comprehensive 4-0 victory takes Arsenal to the top of Group B and extends their promising start to the new season. The Gunners have taken 13 from a possible 15 points in the Premier League and will be looking to continue that form in the much-anticipated North London derby against Tottenham at the weekend.