One of the main reasons why most (if not all) pundits and fans think that Arsenal will not survive the title chase this year is the ‘thin’ bench, considering the number of games which they will play until May 2023. So, with the knockout phase in the Europa League already confirmed with a 1-0 in Norway against Bodo/Glimt last week, Mikel Arteta decided to shuffle the starting 11 and made five changes. Ben White, Gabriel, Thomas Partey, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus were all benched, and Kieran Tierney, William Saliba, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Fabio Vieira and Eddie Nketiah came in. And the result was only the second defeat for the Gunners in all competition: PSV-Arsenal 2-0.Due to minor injury, Matt Turner was not between the posts for this game, so Aaron Ramsdale took charge and saved a good shot from Xavi Simons in the 9th minute. Ten minutes later, PSV scored one of their two disallowed goals in the first half. It was Manchester United and Arsenal’s target Cody Gakpo with a great shot, but he was clearly offside. Arsenal took the game into it’s own hands from there one, but only in terms of possession, nothing more. Once more in the first half, the home crowd rose to its feet, when Simons made a great individual effort, and with a little ‘help’ from sloppy defenders shook the net again. But, VAR intervened and nullified the goal due to El Ghazi’s offside.PSV started the second half even stronger, pushing and pushing for that first goal. Ramsdale had to save two shots, before finally capitulating in the 55th minute. Shots from Simons and Veerman were stopped before PSV’s attacking midfielder finally scored after a great assist from Luuk de Jong. And the home team captain, who was introduced at half-time still proved he has a lot left in him for big games. Former Barcelona forward assisted for the first goal and scored a second, after a bad reaction from Aaron Ramsdale, who missed the ball completely and allowed De Jong to score as he knows best – with his head. Ramsdale prevented the third goal for PSV and De Jong’s brace minutes later, but the 2-0 remained the final result.MORE TO FOLLOW…
