With a nearly perfect performance and 5 goals scored, Arsenal has positioned itself in a way that it almost doesn’t have to worry ahead of the return leg in London, as they can already start preparing for the quarterfinals. Their possible opponent could be Real Madrid, who were also successful tonight, defeating Atletico Madrid 2-1.Back in black 🖤 pic.twitter.com/TWO1tUtlhd— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 4, 2025 Considering the two clubs facing off tonight, we all expected plenty of chances, attractive plays, and goals. And finally, we got exactly that. A first half featuring four goals certainly lived up to expectations, with action unfolding at every moment of the opening 45 minutes.The first goal of the match came in the 12th minute when Declan Rice found the net for the visitors. However, the goal was immediately disallowed due to an offside position, but even then, it was clear that we were in for an exciting match.❌ This is how close Declan Rice came to giving Arsenal the lead in Eindhoven – a matter of inches offside. pic.twitter.com/OyQJ5xFsx0— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) March 4, 2025 Arsenal maintained constant pressure and looked more dangerous, but in the 16th minute, the home team had a huge chance. Ismael Saibari received a precise pass inside the box and struck immediately. His powerful shot rattled the crossbar. Ryan Flamingo then got to the rebound but squandered a clear opportunity, sending his shot just wide of the goal.We didn’t have to wait long for the opener. In the 18th minute, Arsenal executed one of their signature fast-passing moves, with the ball reaching Rice on the left wing. He crossed to the far post, where Timber was waiting to put the London club ahead 1-0. The home side barely had time to react before another goal followed. In the 20th minute, Lewis Skelly delivered a precise cross into the box, and Nwaneri was in the perfect position to fire a rocket past the keeper, doubling Arsenal’s lead to 2-0.Three goals in 13 minutes for Arsenal 😳 pic.twitter.com/0xu1H26z5T— Premier League USA (@PLinUSA) March 4, 2025 Arsenal didn’t slow down, and in the 31st minute, they capitalized on confusion inside the PSV box. A defensive mishap led to a golden opportunity for Merino, who made no mistake and extended London club’s advantage to a commanding 3-0.⚽️ GOAL: Mikel Merino🇪🇺 PSV 0-3 Arsenalpic.twitter.com/twdjFMo7m5— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) March 4, 2025 However, the hosts found a way back into the game when Luuk de Jong was fouled inside the penalty area. Noa Lang stepped up to take the penalty and successfully converted, cutting Arsenal’s lead to a more manageable 3-1.⚽️ GOAL: Noa Lang🇪🇺 PSV 1-3 Arsenalpic.twitter.com/gY93mX3HN6— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) March 4, 2025 PSV had one more chance before the break in the 46th minute when Malacia delivered a quality cross, and de Jong headed just over the bar. With that, the teams went into halftime with Arsenal leading 3-1.A strong first-half’s work 💼 Let’s get the job done, Gunners 👊 pic.twitter.com/zlTiws1qbm— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 4, 2025 Arsenal didn’t even hesitate for a moment after the referee’s whistle to start the second half. As soon as the players were warmed up, the North London club increased their lead by two more goals.First, in the 47th minute, Odegaard took advantage of a rebound from the home goalkeeper, scoring from close range to make it 4-1.⚽️ GOAL: Odegaard🇪🇺 PSV 1-4 Arsenalpic.twitter.com/GTbv1k4yVK— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) March 4, 2025 Just as PSV kicked off from the center, Benitez was forced to pick the ball out of the net again. Trossard and Calafiori combined beautifully down the left side, and the Belgian, in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper, showed his creativity by lobbing the keeper.⚽️ GOAL: Trossard🇪🇺 PSV 1-5 Arsenalpic.twitter.com/5hKfu7QCqP— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) March 4, 2025 If you thought that was the end, you were wrong. If the home fans hadn’t already started heading home by the time it was 5-1, they certainly did after Arsenal’s sixth goal. Odegaard was allowed to run freely for about twenty meters and take a shot from the edge of the box, and Benitez was unable to properly save it, continuing PSV’s downfall.⚽️ GOAL: Ødegaard (2)🇪🇺 PSV 1-6 Arsenalpic.twitter.com/OWIl9beO6V— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) March 4, 2025 📸 – PSV FANS ARE LEAVING THE STADIUM 😂 pic.twitter.com/8HPNZOel1U— The Screenshot Lad (@thescreenlad) March 4, 2025 To make this evening complete for himself, Odegaard made a assist in the 85th minute for Calafiori who scored the seventh goal for Gunners.⚽️ GOAL: Calafiori🇪🇺 PSV 1-7 Arsenalpic.twitter.com/U1EZjO0dTh— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) March 4, 2025 Arsenal showed some mercy after this goal, as their attacks slowed down a bit. With this result, Arsenal has nearly secured their place in the Champions League quarterfinals, and now they can look forward to their next opponent with ease. Who that will be, we’ll find out in the return leg in eight days.There is a thing worth mentioning. Arsenal is the first host team in the knockout phase to score 7 goals in one match.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – ROUND OF 16First legTuesday Club Brugge – Aston Villa 1-3 (1-1)/De Cuyper 12 – Bailey 3, Mechele 82 (og), Asensio 88 pen/Dortmund – Lille 1-1 (1-0)/Adeyemi 22 – Haraldsson 68/PSV – Arsenal 1-7 (1-3)/Lang 43 – Timber 18, Nwaneri 21, Merino 31, Odegaard 47, 73 Trossard 48, Calafiori 85/Real Madrid – Atl. Madrid 2-1 (1-1)/Rodrygo 4, Diaz 55 – Alvarez 32/Wednesday 20.45: (5.60) Feyenoord (3.70) Inter (1.65)23.00: (1.82) Bayern (3.60) Leverkusen (4.40)23.00: (3.80) Benfica (3.60) Barcelona (1.95)23.00: (2.45) PSG (3.45) Liverpool (2.80)***odds are subject to change***
