Arsenal Returns To Champions League in Style, Cruised Past Hapless PSV

Arsenal return to Europe biggest club competition was a dream one as Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard inspired a 4-0 demolition of PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.

Back in Europe’s elite club competition for the first time in six years, Arsenal swept aside the overwhelmed Dutch league leaders to prove they can cope with the step up in class.

Mikel Arteta’s side ran riot in the first half at the Emirates Stadium, with Saka scoring his first goal in the competition before setting up Trossard to double the lead.

Trossard also went from scorer to provider as he laid on the third goal for Gabriel Jesus, with Martin Odegaard completing the rout after the break.

Arsenal’s previous game in the competition was in March 2017, when Bayern Munich completed a humiliating 10-2 aggregate victory in the last 16.

The Gunners are a far more formidable force now, despite their lack of Champions League experience, and should cruise through Group B, which also features Sevilla and Lens.

Arsenal are unbeaten with four wins from five in the Premier League as they aim to make amends for last season’s collapse in the title race.

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But the chance to advance to the latter stages of the Champions League — a competition they have never won — is also a major incentive for Arteta’s men and they look up to the task on this evidence.

In his first match as a boss in the Champions League, Arteta was rewarded with another clean-sheet from David Raya, who kept his place after the on-loan Brentford keeper replaced Aaron Ramsdale for Sunday’s Premier League win at Everton.

Arteta had told his players to make “beautiful memories” on their Champions League return and the air of anticipation around the Emirates Stadium was palpable before kick-off.

Even the torrential rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of Arsenal fans, who were so caught up in the occasion that they greeted the Champions League anthem with an ear-splitting roar.