The good news for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta is that this match didn’t matter. But the hope that it can simply be a leisurely walk around Eindhoven for the organisers’ winners compared to the organisation’s runners-up with a bit of levity and quiet relief as the relentless festive programme comes alive and he is optimistic.
Thank goodness, Arsenal had done enough to win the organisation before tonight, because in this match, and in the form so conquering of the Eredivisie, betting against PSV in a bloody encounter at this level of the season would have involved a lousy effort. that the Gunners will surely be able to do without.
We’re not fans of the early kick-off on Champions League nights. It gives an altogether Europa Thursday flavour to proceedings that has no business being there on a Big Cup Tuesday. That Europa flavour threatened to be all-encompassing for a game like this, with two teams whose own recent European pedigree is more Vase than Cup and with so little riding on the outcome.
It never worked that way, because PSV simply refused to allow it. Both groups have made their changes, but Arteta’s existing shortage has limited what he can do, with PSV incredibly in a position to continue their own recent form and form a rare squad. Rest day on the first day in the Emirates. Arsenal’s marginal players did it. . . Largely well.
Choosing Cedric Soares over one of the hugely promising teenagers Arteta had brought here was a little disappointing and it wasn’t a proactive choice, but it was probably a pragmatic choice. PSV’s attacking football is exciting to watch and may have been a brutal delight for a young player. Cedric is unlikely to finish January yet as an Arsenal player, but he has at least taken the opportunity to remind potential suitors that he remains a capable and passionate defender. Many groups may fare worse.
Eddie Nketiah’s first goal in the Champions League came a little opposite to the development of the game, but it was a beautiful thing; Instant finish and accurate arrow from the base of the post. It was certainly the highlight of the night for Arsenal, a night that ended with the need to field Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice to regain some semblance of opposition to a team that sensed a chance of victory after having deservedly equalised on a counter-attack. and a shot from Yorbe Vertessen that was, if anything, even better than Nketiah’s when he shot past Aaron Ramsdale and in the same position that the Arsenal player had infallibly discovered just before the break.
Ramsdale was another fringe Arsenal player who is doing perfectly. The goal was unstoppable and, despite all of PSV’s flashy football, the Arsenal goalkeeper had little else to do and what he had he did with relentless efficiency.
There was a willful sense in the way Arsenal approached the game after PSV’s undeniably deserved draw that it mattered more than mere draws and qualification would suggest. A fascinating, if debatable, idea that came to mind was what others the Arsenal team might have. It would have been if they had won instead of losing at Villa 3 days earlier. Momentum is a sentient and fickle creature and Arteta obviously and understandably wasn’t willing to take too many risks with her. Back-to-back defeats, even if one were in this theoretically dead scenario – are not what is required as the fun and busy holiday season approaches.
For PSV, with a second-place finish in this organisation at the pinnacle of their pre-tournament ambitions and the Eredivisie name already in their pocket, this fit with general enthusiasm. It showed. For Arsenal, a balance has to be struck. It’s more vital than it could have been, but still less vital than almost every game the Gunners will play in the coming weeks.
This produced a curious but clearly observable spectacle. PSV at full throttle, with Arsenal looking for and on the verge of locating the exact point of commitment and effort needed to keep them at bay overloading anyone.
There was a lingering feeling until the end that it wasn’t really very smart from Arsenal’s side. But it wasn’t bad either. He was very professional, very careful, and in the end, it clearly showed that we had taken care of the matter before the sixth day. Vague emotions of frustration and an away draw after beating your organization are a luxury. Arsenal have worked hard to get to this point. a position, so they might well take credit for it.