The Gunners pass tough European test with flying colours
Granit Xhaka’s sublime second-half finish was enough for Arsenal to edge past PSV to record their eighth successive victory across all competitions.
The Gunners sit top of the Premier League and Xhaka’s goal makes it four wins in four for them in their Europa League group.
Mikel Arteta’s side now need a result next week in Holland to qualify as group winners. This will earn them a bye for the round of 32.
It is now 46 days since Arsenal failed to win a game – a longer run than that enjoyed by outgoing Prime Minister Liz Truss – as Xhaka became the first Arsenal player to score a home goal against PSV.
This fixture was initially postponed following the death of the Queen and the Manchester City clash which would have seen the top two in the Premier League go toe-to-toe had to make way this time around.
Arsenal want to return to the Champions League and their strong start to the Premier League campaign means they have a good chance of doing so – but for much of the game they lacked the ruthlessness in front of goal their women’s team showed in beating defending Women’s Champions League holders Lyon 5-1 less than 24 hours earlier.
Ruud van Nistelrooy faced Arsenal as Manchester United’s main striker at a time when the two sides were untouchable at the top of the Premier League.
He was appointed as PSV boss in the summer and has certainly added his goalscoring prowess, his team having netted 17 goals in the four games prior to their Emirates Stadium trip.
