𝙷𝙸𝙶𝙷𝙻𝙸𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂
Arsenal claim 1-1 draw at PSV in their final Champions League Group B match. Eddie Nketiah struck just before half-time for the Gunners but hosts equalised through Yorbe Vertessen shortly after break. Arsenal and PSV had secured first and second in the group before kick-off
 |
| Image:Eddie Nketiah celebrates his goal for Arsenal just before half-time |
𝗘𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗡𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗵 struck for Arsenal as a much-changed Gunners side claimed a point against PSV in their final Champions League Group B game.
Both sides had already secured first and second-placed finishes in the group respectively, meaning Mikel Arteta and Peter Bosz took the opportunity to make a combined 13 changes to their XIs.
The visitors showed the effects of so many alterations in the opening stages but gradually gained control of the game and went into half-time ahead thanks to Nketiah's clinical finish.
PSV quickly restored parity through Yorbe Vertessen, though, and were the more impressive of the teams in the second half - although Walter Benitez was forced into an excellent save to deny Leandro Trossard a last-gasp winner.
But with qualification assured long ago, it was a night when returning to London unscathed ahead of a busy festive schedule was of paramount importance to Arteta and his side. In that respect, it was job done.
Attention will now turn to Monday's Champions League knockout stage draw at 11am, where the Gunners will discover their last 16 opponents for the knockout stages beginning in February.
"What I've seen is that we can compete at this level and we came top of the group which is very important," said Arteta after the game. "Especially the way we did it with a game in hand. We have to win game by game and we arrive again in February.
Player ratings:
PSV: Benitez (6), Teze (6), Ramalho (7), Obispo (6), Mauro (6), Van Aanholt (6), Tillman (7), Saibari (7), Bakayoko (8), Pepi (7), Vertessen (8).
Subs: Dest (6), Babadi (6), Oppegard (n/a), Til (n/a).
Arsenal: Ramsdale (6), Cedric (6), Saliba (6), Gabriel (6), Kiwior (5), Jorginho (6), Elneny (6), Havertz (6), Trossard (6), Nketiah (8), Nelson (7).
Subs: Rice (6), Odegaard (6), White (6), Jesus (n/a), Smith Rowe (n/a).
Player of the Match: Yorbe Vertessen
"Overall, finishing first with a game to play we have to be really happy, close that chapter, leave it until February and make sure in February when that chapter opens up again we are in the best possible place to compete against another top side."
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗦𝗔𝗜𝗗
Arteta: I've liked our approach at this level
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta:
"There were good moments, there were moments we lacked that cohesion and timings especially in the way we pressed against a really good side, when you don't get the timings right you have to defend awkward spaces and we had to do that a few times tonight which could have cost us the game.
"I think overall there are many, many positives [in this Champions League group]. After six or seven years without being in the competition with a team that doesn't have a lot of experience there I think we have competed very, very well.
"I really like the approach of the team in every single game, the way we try to play and dominate the opponents, we have some big results and big experiences as well. Like what we had in Seville, or in Lens and even today, when we make that many changes as well, how the team can act, or how fair it is for certain players to give that exposure."
What's next?
Arsenal host Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday; kick-off 2pm. The Gunners then face a huge trip to Liverpool on December 23, live on Saturday Night Football; kick-off 5.30pm.
PSV return to Eredivisie action on Sunday at AZ Alkmaar; kick-off 7pm. Peter Bosz's side then host Twente in the KNVB Cup on Thursday December 21; kick-off 8pm.
𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦:
Buy Luxury Apartments on the Island, Lagos
- Readers Comments desired, Share Your Story in comment box below;
0 Comments