**CHAMPIONS LEAGUE**
**ARSENAL: 2 (Zinchenko 6, Rice 37)**
**PSV 2 (Perisic 18, Driouech 78)**
MIKEL Arteta called on supporters to create a “carnival atmosphere” after Arsenal set up a mouth-watering Champions League clash against Read Madrid.
The Gunners will play the first leg at the Emirates, on April 8, after cruising past PSV Eindhoven 9-3 on aggregate.
Then it will be the first return to the Bernabeu since 2006 when Thierry Henry & Co overcame the Galacticos on a glorious run to the final.
After the match Arteta said: “We have to create a carnival atmosphere at home. The club needs it. We want to be the best.
“We want to be competing with the best clubs in the world. And we have the capacity.
“We are going to Madrid and we want to make the next step.”
While the Gunners’ title challenge has stuttered, their European form has been strong – conceding just six goals
in ten games.
It is the stage in the
tournament when the wheat is separated from the chaff – and this PSV outfit were very much of the chaff variety, despite rallying for a 2-2 draw at the Emirates.
Oleksandr Zinchenko had a surprisingly good game playing in the Martin Odegaard role with the Arsenal captain rested on the bench.
Zinchenko curled in a brilliant opener after cruising past two players and taking aim from the edge of the box.
Tottenham reject Ivan Perisic equalised with a well-taken finish.
Kieran Tierney was playing up front on the left with Raheem Sterling on the right.
Sterling had a few dodgy touches but burst into life with a turn of pace, tidy feet and a pinpoint cross that picked out Declan Rice who restored Arsenal’s advantage.
Minutes later Zinchenko sent him clear free one- on-one from the half way line. The stadium held its breath as Sterling outpaced the defenders rushing back behind him. But his finish was tame and easily saved by keeper Walter Benitez.
Miles Lewis-Skelly – one of three left-backs in the starting line-up – hit the post and then appeared to be bundled over, but the referee waved for a corner.
Couhaib Driouech equalised with a superb dinked chip from outside the box after Jorginho was caught napping.
There were many empty seats with supporters baulking at the high cost of tickets for a dead rubber tie.
Despite the 1-7 home leg defeat, PSV fans packed out their allocation and sang like maniacs throughout.
Next up the Gunners face London rivals Chelsea in the Premier League this Sunday at the Emirate.
**Arsenal:** Raya, Tierney (Martinelli 78), White (Timber 78), Gabriel, Kiwior, Zinchenko (Odegaard 78), Jorginho, Merino (Trossard 64), Sterling, Rice (Calafiori 64), Lewis-Skelly
**Subs not used:** Neto, Setford, Saliba, Partey, Butler-Oyedeji, Kabia, Nwaneri
**PSV:** Benitez, Malacia, Obispo, Perisic, Bakayoko, Til, Driouech, Schouten, Babadi, Ledexma, Nagalo
**Subs not used:** Drommel, Schiks, Karsdrop, Dest, de Jong, Lang, Boscagil, Bajraktarevic, Veerman, Land