Raheem Sterling finally delivers as Arsenal seal showdown with Real Madrid in the Champions League | OneFootball

Arsenal 2 (Zinchenko 6, Rice 37) PSV Eindhoven 2 (Perisic 18, Driouech 70)(Arsenal win 9-3 on aggregate)

Raheem Sterling produced his best performance in an Arsenal shirt to help his side confirm their place in the Champions League quarter-finals, setting up both goals in a 2-2 draw against PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates.

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With the tie already settled after a dominant 7-1 win in the first leg, Mikel Arteta made seven changes, including a first start for Ben White since his return from injury and an unusual left-wing role for Kieran Tierney.

Myles Lewis-Skelly, the highly rated teenager, was handed a start at left-back but regularly moved into midfield.

Sterling made the difference early, setting up Oleksandr Zinchenko for the opener in the sixth minute. A long clearance from David Raya was won by Mikel Merino, with Sterling recovering possession and finding Zinchenko, who curled a shot past Walter Benítez from the edge of the box.

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PSV equalised in the 18th minute, capitalising on another long ball. Guus Til collected possession and played in former Tottenham man, Ivan Perisic, who fired past Raya.

It was Sterling again who provided the breakthrough, beating Couhaib Driouech and Tyrell Malacia before delivering a superb cross for Declan Rice to head home in the 37th minute.

Arsenal remained in control, though PSV had chances. Driouech forced Raya into a fingertip save before the break, while Isaac Babadi tested the goalkeeper early in the second half.

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The visitors equalised for a second time in the 70th minute after Jorginho lost possession. Driouech ran through on goal and lifted a chipped finish over Raya.

Sterling had a late chance to win it but was denied by Benítez after a great run, and his night ended on a sour note when he received a stoppage-time booking for a rash tackle, ruling him out of the first leg against Real Madrid.

After the game, Arteta praised his contribution despite the suspension.

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“The way he tracked back after the corner, when he got booked, that’s the player we want to see,” he said.

Arsenal now prepare to face the 15-time European champions, with Arteta urging his players to embrace the challenge.

“We’re very happy again to be in the quarter-finals for the second consecutive season, that’s very difficult to achieve,” he said. “We want much more; we know that we are capable, we have the ability to do it and certainly we really want it.”