Arsenal’s 7-1 win over PSV in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie is a historic night for the London club. Manager Mikel Arteta described it as “the beauty of football,” highlighting the team’s ability to score seven goals without a natural striker.
The victory marks Arsenal’s first time scoring seven goals in a single match under Arteta and also made them the first team in Champions League history to score seven away from home. Defender Jurrien Timber scored the opening goal, followed by contributions from Myles Lewis-Skelly, Declan Rice, and Ethan Nwaneri.
Arteta praised his players for their intent and movement into the box, which led to several scoring opportunities. The manager also highlighted the importance of consistency, particularly in key players like Nwaneri, who scored his third goal in just two matches.
The win should give Arsenal momentum heading into their next match against Manchester United and Chelsea, but Arteta emphasized that the team must build on this performance and maintain its flow and looseness. The squad will face a tough test at Old Trafford, where they need to ensure their attacking threat is not a one-off result.
This victory comes after a string of impressive performances, with Arsenal having built a solid platform in the league phase. They have been consistent, scored plenty of goals, and conceded few, making them a force to be reckoned with in European competition.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6175864/2025/03/05/arsenal-psv-champions-league-momentum