Arsenal player ratings vs PSV: Declan Rice superb as Martin Odegaard enjoys best game for a while | OneFootball

Gunners turn on the style in Champions League round of 16 first leg tie

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

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Arsenal put one foot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League with an emphatic victory over PSV Eindhoven.

The Gunners ran out 7-1 winners in the Netherlands in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie thanks to goals from Jurrien Timber, Ethan Nwaneri, Mikel Merino, Leandro Trossard, Riccardo Calafiori and a brace from Martin Odegaard.

PSV did pull one goal back, with Noa Lang scoring a penalty just before half time when they were 3-0 down, but they struggled all night.

The Dutch side were defensively all over the place and Mikel Arteta’s side took full advantage as Arsenal record their biggest-ever away win in the Champions League.

Simon Collings was in Eindhoven to see Arsenal in action...

David Raya 6

Almost caught out when he failed to gather a cross, with Ismael Saibari smashing the woodwork. Got nowhere near Lang’s penalty.

Jurrien Timber 8

Put Arsenal ahead with a brilliant header at the back post. Got forward a lot and was a real threat. Largely kept Lang quiet, too.

William Saliba 7

A steady performance from the Frenchman, who barely put a foot wrong. Typically composed at the back and on the ball.

Gabriel 6

Went close with a chance in the opening moments. Had a pretty comfortable night’s work dealing with an ageing Luuk de Jong.

Myles Lewis-Skelly 6

Taken off before half-time after he was booked and lucky not to be given a second yellow for a late tackle on Richard Ledezma. Setup Nwaneri’s goal.

Martin Odegaard 9

Revelled in the space that was given to him by PSV. Two goals and an assist capped off a fine night’s work. A captain’s performance.

Captain’s performance: Martin Odegaard

Getty Images

Thomas Partey 5

Gave away a penalty with a clumsy challenge in the box as he caught De Jong with a stray arm. Spoilt an otherwise solid showing.

Declan Rice 9 | Star player

Full of running and made the most of the huge gaps in PSV’s midfield. Created the opening goal with a slick turn and cross that picked out Timber. A monster performance.

Ethan Nwaneri 8

Another magical performance from the 17-year-old, who now has eight goals this season. Smashed the ball home with an emphatic finish for his goal.

Mikel Merino 7

Picked to start as an emergency No9 for the third game in a row. Scored Arsenal’s third with a cool finish inside the box.

Leandro Trossard 8

Heavily involved in both of Arsenal’s opening two goals, playing lovely balls into the box from out left. Got the goal his performance deserved with a lovely, dinked finish to make it 5-1.

Substitutions

Riccardo Calafiori (Lewis-Skelly 35’) 8

On earlier than expected and made the most of it. A goal and an assist for the Italian.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (Partey 71’) 6

Came on in midfield, again, as Arsenal cruised to victory. Went close to scoring a seventh for Arsenal.

Raheem Sterling (Nwaneri 71’) 6

A small cameo for the winger as Nwaneri was taken off ahead of Manchester United on Sunday.

Kieran Tierney (Merino 77’) N/A

Ben White (Timber 77’) N/A

Subs not used: Neto, Setford, Kiwior, Jorginho, Butler-Oyedeji, Kabia