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By ISAAN KHAN Published: 09: 01 AEDT, 5 March 2025 | Updated: 12: 37 AEDT, 5 March 2025 View comments Arsenal earned a dominant 7-1 victory away against PSV Eindhoven to effectively seal their place in the Champions League quarter-finals after the first leg of their last-16 tie. Mikel Arteta's side seized control of the tie with Jurrien Timber and Ethan Nwaneri scoring three minutes apart in the first half against the Dutch side. The Gunners had a major scare when Myles Lewis-Skelly avoided being sent off for a second bookable offence after a clumsy tackle, leading to him being substituted. Mikel Merino added to Arsenal's lead on the half hour mark, before Noa Lang pulled one back for the hosts from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time. Efforts from Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard in the first three minutes of the second half built Arsenal's advantage further, with the former adding a sixth before Riccardo Calafiori netted a late seventh to complete a stunning victory. Mail Sport's Isaan Khan rates the players as Arsenal took a giant step towards the quarter-finals. Martin Odegaard was on target as Arsenal cruised to a first leg lead against PSV Eindhoven Ethan Nwaneri scored the second goal on what proved to be a comfortable night for Arsenal Mikel Arteta's side all but sealed a place in the Champions League quarter-finals with the win DAVID RAYA: 6. 5 Lucky that Ismael Saibari struck the bar after the Spaniard shakily pushed out Ivan Perisic’s cross. Kept alert to a PSV attack which did threaten. JURRIEN TIMBER: 7. 5 His headed goal on back post after 18 minutes set the tone and gave Arsenal impetus to open the floodgates. WILLIAM SALIBA: 7 Composed on the ball and added calmness when opposition threatened around the area. GABRIEL: 7 Kept tabs on Luuk de Jong and helped force play out wide. A commanding display. MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY: 6 Did well to shield the ball in the area and assist Ethan Nwaneri’s goal — but should have received a second yellow for a poor challenge on Richard Ledezma. A lucky man. Was substituted soon after. Myles Lewis-Skelly was brought off by Mikel Arteta after avoiding a second yellow card Martin Odegaard looked back at the races and his two goals will be a boost to his confidence MARTIN ODEGAARD: 8 Looked at the races and added a flair that has been missing in recent weeks. Got two goals, too, which will do his confidence much good. THOMAS PARTEY: 6. 5 Conceded a penalty for dragging down De Jong in the area, which Noa Lang scored. DECLAN RICE: 7. 5 Contributed both in attack and build up play. Had a goal chalked out for offside before putting together a well-executed cross which Timber scored from. ETHAN NWANERI: 8. 5 What a talent. Looked a threat from the start and was Arsenal’s star player tonight. Got a goal himself with a blistering strike from close range and helped set up Odegaard. MIKEL MERINO: 7. 5 What a difference a week makes. Pressured an opposition defender which presented him with the chance to score — and he did, in a cool fashion. Also got an assist to his name. LEANDRO TROSSARD: 7 Good play around the box, looked lively. A nice chipped finish from Riccardo Calafiori’s cross to get on the scoresheet. Declan Rice contributed in both attack and in Arsenal's build-up play during the first leg Nwaneri was the star as Arsenal became the first side to net seven away in the knock-outs Makeshift forward Mikel Merino scored an provided an assist for Arsenal in Eindhoven Substitutes – RICCARDO CALAFIORI: 7. 5 Good assist to set up Trossard. A step up from the erratic nature shown by Lewis-Skelly. Scored near the end to cap off a good display. OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO: 6. 5 RAHEEM STERLING: 6. 5
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