Arsenal put on a masterclass in Eindhoven, thrashing PSV 7-1 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie, all but securing a quarterfinal tie against defending champions, Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid. Here are five key takeaways from an unforgettable night:
1. A Historic Night
– Arsenal’s dominant display rewrote the record books in emphatic fashion, delivering a performance that will be remembered for years. Take a look at the records the Gunners broke:
– They became the first team in UEFA Champions League history to score seven or more goals away from home in a knockout stage match.
– The Gunners last hit seven in a European match back in October 2007 (7-0 vs Slavia Prague), and they hadn’t done so away from home since November 1993 (7-0 vs Standard Liège).
– Arsenal also became the first team in UEFA Champions League history to have six different scorers (excluding own goals) in an away knockout stage game.
– The combination of 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly assisting 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri made history as the first time two English teenagers combined for a goal in the Champions League.
2. Ødegaard Finds His Best Form Again
Martin Ødegaard struggled in the first half, losing possession 12 times, but he turned things around brilliantly after the break. His 47th minute strike set him up perfectly for a dominant display with his decision-making and exceptional passing finally on display at a high level. He capped off his man-of-the-match performance with a delightful assist for Riccardo Calafiori’s goal, and his brace could set him up for a good finish to the season after a topsy turvy campaign
3. Nwaneri Shines on the Biggest Stage
At just 17 years and 348 days old, Ethan Nwaneri announced himself in style getting his second UCL goal in just his second start in the competition.. He became the third-youngest player to score in a Champions League knockout game, behind Bojan Krkić (17y 217d) and Jude Bellingham (17y 289d). He displayed confidence beyond his years, never looking overawed by the occasion. Declan Rice’s post-match praise summed it up: “Even if [Bukayo] Saka was here, Ethan would still be getting minutes because he’s that good and works so hard in training.”
4. Lewis-Skelly Walks a Tightrope
Myles Lewis-Skelly has impressed since breaking into the first team, but this match provided a learning experience. He showcased his usual composure on the ball and provided an assist for his close friend Nwaneri to put Arsenal 2-0 up but found himself in trouble early on. Less than five minutes after receiving a yellow card, he made a tackle that could (and probably should) have resulted in a red card (which would have been his third of the season). Arteta took no chances, subbing him off in the 35th minute to avoid disaster. However, this will be a night of lessons for the young fullback, who will grow from the experience.
5. Arteta Finds an Alternative in Attack
With key attackers like Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus missing, Mikel Arteta has had to innovate. Mikel Merino, deployed as a false nine, frequently dropped into midfield, winning duels and linking up play effectively. Leandro Trossard provided flexibility in the attack, interchanging fluidly with Merino. Calafiori’s attacking involvement now looks like a potential secret weapon—he hit the bar against Nottingham Forest and found the net this time. Kieran Tierney could also be an option at left wing, with his crossing ability offering another dimension to Arsenal’s attack.