Arsenal defender did something special at PSV last night, first time in 21 Champions League seasons | OneFootball

Arsenal secured a convincing 7-1 win over PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday.

The Gunners failed to score in the previous two Premier League games, and there were doubts whether they could hit the target at the PSV Stadion.

Mikel Arteta’s side perfectly answered their critics with seven goals.

Riccardo Calafiori started the game on the bench but came on for Myles Lewis-Skelly in just the 35th minute.

Lewis-Skelly was very fortunate to avoid a sending-off against PSV. Arteta made the right decision to replace him.

Calafiori had a nervous start, but he was exceptional after the interval. He provided a quality assist for Leandro Trossard in the 48th minute after some lovely link-up play between them.

He capped the performance with a late goal. The left-back scored with a perfect right-footed finish, making it 7-1.

Arsenal’s 7-1 rout of PSV is the biggest away win in Champions League knockout history.

Calafiori also did something special with his goal contributions off the bench for the Gunners.

He became the first substitute defender to register a goal and an assist in a Champions League game since 2003/04.

Calafiori has been in and out of the starting line-up with the emergence of Lewis-Skelly.

He has still stepped up with standout performances. Calafiori scored a vital goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League earlier this year.

The former Bologna man was likewise exceptional yesterday. Lewis-Skelly’s breakthrough has probably been a blessing in disguise for Calafiori.

Calafiori had injury troubles at the start of the campaign. With a reduced workload, he has become more consistent in his overall performances.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com.