Arsenal thrash PSV in Champions League as Mikel Arteta channels inner Guardiola

Arsenal V PSV Eindhoven: Pictures

Arsenal were in scintillating form on their return to the Champions League on Wednesday night as they thrashed PSV 4-0. And Gunners boss Mikel Arteta continued to channel his inner Pep Guardiola with his team selection.

Arsenal dominated the early stages of the contest and took just eight minutes to break the deadlock as Bukayo Saka swept in a rebound from close range after Martin Odegaard’s fizzing shot had been parried away.

The Gunners attacked at will as they pushed for a second and doubled their advantage midway through the opening period as Leandro Trossard picked out the bottom of the corner of the net after being teed-up by Saka. And Trossard turned provider seven minutes before the break as his cross found Gabriel Jesus, who lashed the ball into the far side of the goal.

Arsenal’s intensity assuaged after the interval, with the three points all but in the bag. But they went four up as Odegaard struck a long-range effort 20 minutes from the end.

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Arteta made three changes to the side that defeated Everton in the Premier League on Sunday as Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard returned to the starting line-up. The Spaniard was Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City and continues to keep his players on their toes in the same manner his former boss has always done since taking charge at the Etihad Stadium.

That trait was highlighted perfectly at the weekend when goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was dropped in favour of David Raya. The Brentford loanee kept his place against PSV and looked assured between the posts on his Champions League debut.

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Arsenal’s star display means four of their most reliable players could now fail to regain their places in the team as the Gunners look to compete for silverware on all fronts this season.

Ramsdale appears to have fallen behind Raya in the pecking order, while Thomas Partey – who was outstanding in the centre of the pitch last season – may have to bide his time on the bench when he returns from injury. Meanwhile, Eddie Nketiah will do well to get back in the team above Jesus. And Gabriel Martinelli could now find Trossard in his way.

Trossard, Saka and Jesus were all outstanding on the night as they ran the PSV defence ragged, and Arsenal may have scored six or seven on another night. But Kai Havertz may need to buck his ideas up to avoid being dropped as he struggled to impact the game in the same manner as his attacking team-mates.

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