Arsenal’s hopes of securing top spot in Group A in the Europa League on Thursday night were dashed as PSV Eindhoven ran out convincing 2-0 winners at Philips Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s side were handily beaten by their Dutch opponents and now questions will be asked about how far this Gunners side can actually go this season after yet another sluggish performance.
After three consecutive 1-0 wins, Arsenal’s lack of a clinical edge also cost them victory at Southampton on Sunday. The Premier League leaders have looked lethargic recently and with more European football to come, and Manchester City hot on their heels domestically, has Arteta’s lack of depth finally caught up with his side?
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Tonight, Arsenal needed just a point to finish as group winners but despite plenty of possession, couldn’t make their dominance of the ball count and were punished as a result.
PSV had only four shots against Arsenal last time out, but it was clear from the off that the 24-time Eredivisie winners meant business, pushing much further forward and asking more questions than they did in the entirety of the first meeting.
Skipper Cody Gakpo had the game’s first big chance, controlling Xavi Simons' knock down and setting himself up for a shot, but, off balance, he failed to test Aaron Ramsdale. Gakpo had the ball in the back of the net soon after but it was ruled offside.
The hosts thought they had broken the deadlock again just before the break through the excellent Simons, this time however VAR came to Arsenal’s rescue.
PSV continued to carve out chances in the second half with Ramsdale, making his European debut, forced to make two great saves in quick succession, first from Simons and then from Joey Veerman.
Veerman finally sent the home side ahead in the 55th minute. Luuk De Jong held off Rob Holding to square it to the midfielder, who had acres of space to put it past Ramsdale. It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded from open play in the Europa League this season. The Gunners had been looking to go four European games without conceding for the first time since 2007.
A wonderful PSV move is finished beautifully by Joey Veerman 👏
Arsenal have some work to do 😮💨
#UEL
Things went from bad to worse for the visitors eight minutes later, this time through De Jong. PSV sent in a corner which Ramsdale came out to try and punch away but completely missed, leaving the former Barcelona loanee with some easy work to nod into an empty net. It was nearly three, this time through Ibrahim Sangare, but once again, PSV were ruled offside.
Despite a poor performance, it’s far from doom and gloom for Arsenal. They’re through to the next stage regardless, have won five of their six Europa League, have lost just twice in all competitions, and sit atop the Premier League table.
However, there is no question that Arteta will need to strengthen in the upcoming window if they want to mount a twin assault on European and domestic titles, especially with the strength in depth of their fellow Premier League title challengers and the sizeable names dropping into the Europa League from the Champions League in the upcoming stage.
Arteta's side must now win at home to last-placed Zurich next Thursday to guarantee top spot in Group A.
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