Arsenal’s Champions League campaign has been emphatic, and their 7-1 thrashing of PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of this last-16 tie all but secured their place in the quarter-finals. While history tells us that no team has overturned a six-goal deficit in this competition, Mikel Arteta is not taking anything for granted.
The Gunners were ruthless in Eindhoven, breaking forward with precision and punishing every defensive lapse. They became the first team to score seven goals in an away Champions League knockout match, a record that underlined their growing European credentials.
Yet, despite the scoreline, Arsenal were not perfect. Ismael Saibari rattled the crossbar from close range, and Myles Lewis-Skelly narrowly avoided a second yellow before being substituted. The final score flattered Arsenal, but it also showcased their ability to capitalise on mistakes.
Wednesday’s second leg at the Emirates should be a formality, but Arteta is demanding full focus. “We have to earn it,” he said. “Everything went in the right direction for us in the first game, but we have to make sure it goes that way again.”
A win would not just secure passage to the quarter-finals but also mark Arsenal’s fifth consecutive home victory in Europe without conceding. It could also see them equal a record set by Manchester City in 2018-19 by becoming only the second English team to score 10 goals across a two-legged Champions League tie.
Arsenal’s weekend draw with Manchester United served as a reminder that they are still a work in progress. Their attack lacked fluidity, and it took a late strike from Declan Rice to salvage a point. With the Premier League title race slipping away, European success is becoming even more significant.
Arteta has dismissed suggestions that Arsenal should prioritise the Champions League over domestic ambitions. “We’re going to carry on fighting to win every game,” he insisted. “Success doesn’t depend on us, but we can control our own performances.”
Rotation is likely, with Gabriel Martinelli set for more minutes as he continues his recovery. The manager may also look to give opportunities to young players if the game state allows. “Whenever we have the opportunity to say thank you or to give minutes, we will do,” he said.
PSV, meanwhile, are playing for pride. Their 2-1 win over Heerenveen ended a three-game losing streak, but their European journey is all but over. They have not kept an away clean sheet in the Champions League since 2016, and Arsenal’s firepower will make that streak difficult to end.
For Arsenal, this is more than a routine second leg. It is a chance to maintain momentum, build confidence, and reinforce their credentials as genuine contenders on the European stage.