Arsenal break two stunning Champions League records as they thump PSV to all-but secure quarter-final spot
Arsenal recorded their biggest Champions League knockout win in history as they eased to a 7-1 victory away at PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday night. The Gunners scored seven goals in Europe’s premier competition for just the second time in their history as Mikel Arteta‘s men all-but secured their place in the quarter-finals. GettyArsenal captain Martin Odegaard scored twice as Arsenal beat PSV 7-1[/caption] Having not scored in their previous outings against West Ham and Nottingham Forest, there was fear from fans that their season was beginning to unravel. While the Premier League title is seemingly out of reach with Liverpool 13 points clear, Arsenal showed at the Philips Stadion they mean business in Europe. Arsenal were 3-0 up after just 31 minutes thanks to goals from Jurrien Timber, Ethan Nwaneri and Mikel Merino. Noa Lang pulled a goal back from the penalty spot just before the break, but it was one-way traffic in the second half. Within two minutes of the restart, captain Martin Odegaard fired home from close range, with Leandro Trossard quickly adding a fifth. Just 99 seconds separated the two goals, with Arsenal creating Champions League history following the Belgian forward’s strike. Leading 5-1 after just 48 minutes, no other team in the competition’s history has scored as many away goals in quicker time. Odegaard brought up his second of the match and Arsenal’s sixth in the 73rd minute, before substitute Riccardo Calafiori sealed the stunning rout 12 minutes later. In another incredible record, Arsenal have become the first away team to find the back of the net on seven occasions in a knockout tie. Not since October 2007 have Arsenal scored seven in a match, which came against Slavia Prague in a 7-0 win in a Champions League group stage match. Timber scored Arsenakl’s first of the night in what was a historic nightGetty Trossard was one of six different goalscorers for the Gunners at PSVGetty Meanwhile, it’s the first time Arsenal have scored seven on the road in Europe since November 1993 when they beat Standard Liege 7-0 in the European Cup Winners’ Cup. Arteta will be hoping history can repeat itself as Arsenal went on to win the tournament – which was then regarded as Europe’s second-tier competition. As for PSV, it was their joint-worst result in their 112-year history as fans loudly jeered following the full-time whistle. In what was a historic night for Arsenal, Arteta knows his side will be in store for a tougher test in the quarter-final providing PSV don’t spring the biggest comeback in history next week at the Emirates. Arsenal will face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid next, with Los Blancos having the advantage following their 2-1 first leg win at the Bernabeu. For Arteta, he was just delighted for his side to be praised rather than criticised following their dip in form recently. Nwaneri brought up his eighth goal of the season with a first half strikeGetty It was a dream Arsenal performance for Arteta as his side run riot at the Phillips StadionGetty The Arsenal boss said: “So happy for the boys because in the last two games, we haven’t scored a goal and we know the noise around that.” Pressed whether he ever envisaged the scoreline, he insisted: “No, but this is the beauty of football. “Focus on what you are doing and do your best. Anything can happen.” Arteta continued: “”It’s a massive result away from home in a competition that we love, that we miss for so many years. Today is a really special night for us. “It’s something that hasn’t been done in the history of the club, so it is great to be part of that. But as a team we want to achieve many other things that are far more important. “It’s very significant and we are in a strong position to go through to the next round. And that is the reality. But to put down landmarks we have to really make it to a very different level. It means a lot but that is not what we want. “I am happiest because we are in a very strong position to go to the next round, which is where we want to be. But there’s still a job to do in London for sure in a week’s time.” Will Arsenal win the Champions League? Jason Cundy’s verdict: “I think Arsenal can win the Champions League. “The best side in the Champions League doesn’t always win it. There are loads of examples, Porto, Liverpool in Istanbul – they weren’t the best side in Europe. “If you have a little bit about you, have a bit of good fortune and ride the crest of a wave, you can go and win this tournament. I have seen my side (Chelsea) win it twice. “Are they favourites? No. But favourites don’t always win this tournament. Arsenal are capable of winning the Champions League.”
Arsenal recorded their biggest Champions League knockout win in history as they eased to a 7-1 victory away at PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday night.
The Gunners scored seven goals in Europe’s premier competition for just the second time in their history as Mikel Arteta‘s men all-but secured their place in the quarter-finals.
Having not scored in their previous outings against West Ham and Nottingham Forest, there was fear from fans that their season was beginning to unravel.
While the Premier League title is seemingly out of reach with Liverpool 13 points clear, Arsenal showed at the Philips Stadion they mean business in Europe.
Arsenal were 3-0 up after just 31 minutes thanks to goals from Jurrien Timber, Ethan Nwaneri and Mikel Merino.
Noa Lang pulled a goal back from the penalty spot just before the break, but it was one-way traffic in the second half.
Within two minutes of the restart, captain Martin Odegaard fired home from close range, with Leandro Trossard quickly adding a fifth.
Just 99 seconds separated the two goals, with Arsenal creating Champions League history following the Belgian forward’s strike.
Leading 5-1 after just 48 minutes, no other team in the competition’s history has scored as many away goals in quicker time.
Odegaard brought up his second of the match and Arsenal’s sixth in the 73rd minute, before substitute Riccardo Calafiori sealed the stunning rout 12 minutes later.
In another incredible record, Arsenal have become the first away team to find the back of the net on seven occasions in a knockout tie.
Not since October 2007 have Arsenal scored seven in a match, which came against Slavia Prague in a 7-0 win in a Champions League group stage match.
Meanwhile, it’s the first time Arsenal have scored seven on the road in Europe since November 1993 when they beat Standard Liege 7-0 in the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Arteta will be hoping history can repeat itself as Arsenal went on to win the tournament – which was then regarded as Europe’s second-tier competition.
As for PSV, it was their joint-worst result in their 112-year history as fans loudly jeered following the full-time whistle.
In what was a historic night for Arsenal, Arteta knows his side will be in store for a tougher test in the quarter-final providing PSV don’t spring the biggest comeback in history next week at the Emirates.
Arsenal will face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid next, with Los Blancos having the advantage following their 2-1 first leg win at the Bernabeu.
For Arteta, he was just delighted for his side to be praised rather than criticised following their dip in form recently.
The Arsenal boss said: “So happy for the boys because in the last two games, we haven’t scored a goal and we know the noise around that.”
Pressed whether he ever envisaged the scoreline, he insisted: “No, but this is the beauty of football.
“Focus on what you are doing and do your best. Anything can happen.”
Arteta continued: “”It’s a massive result away from home in a competition that we love, that we miss for so many years. Today is a really special night for us.
“It’s something that hasn’t been done in the history of the club, so it is great to be part of that. But as a team we want to achieve many other things that are far more important.
“It’s very significant and we are in a strong position to go through to the next round. And that is the reality. But to put down landmarks we have to really make it to a very different level. It means a lot but that is not what we want.
“I am happiest because we are in a very strong position to go to the next round, which is where we want to be. But there’s still a job to do in London for sure in a week’s time.”
Will Arsenal win the Champions League?
Jason Cundy’s verdict: “I think Arsenal can win the Champions League.
“The best side in the Champions League doesn’t always win it. There are loads of examples, Porto, Liverpool in Istanbul – they weren’t the best side in Europe.
“If you have a little bit about you, have a bit of good fortune and ride the crest of a wave, you can go and win this tournament. I have seen my side (Chelsea) win it twice.
“Are they favourites? No. But favourites don’t always win this tournament. Arsenal are capable of winning the Champions League.”
