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Arsenal made a triumphant return to the Champions League after a six-year hiatus, delivering a resounding 4-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven in their group stage opener at the Emirates Stadium.
In an opening half marked by dominance, the Gunners overwhelmed the attack-minded PSV, establishing a commanding 3-0 lead by halftime courtesy of goals from Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Jesus. Their return to the grand stage was greeted with thunderous applause from the home crowd, and they could have easily added more goals.
The second half saw Arsenal maintain control, albeit with slightly less clinical precision. Martin Odegaard’s spectacular long-range strike added a well-deserved fourth goal, sealing the victory. Arsenal comfortably managed the remaining 20 minutes of regulation time, securing a well-earned three points.
Manager Mikel Arteta deployed an offensive lineup against PSV, with Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard operating as central midfielders in front of Declan Rice. Arsenal wasted no time taking the lead against their Dutch opponents.
Despite PSV’s confident start, Odegaard’s attempt from the edge of the area was parried into the path of Saka by Walter Benitez. The 22-year-old made no mistake, opening his Champions League account just eight minutes into the game.
While Peter Bosz’s side displayed attacking spirit, it proved costly as Trossard fired a beautifully placed low shot into the bottom corner only 12 minutes after Saka’s opener, firmly establishing Arsenal’s control at the Emirates Stadium.
Next, it was Gabriel Jesus’s turn to shine. The Brazilian displayed his mesmerizing skills in the penalty area, forcing two impressive saves from the increasingly busy Benitez before slamming home Arsenal’s third goal on 38 minutes, following a deep cross from Trossard. The match was effectively decided by halftime.
The intensity of the first half simmered down at the start of the second half, but Arsenal continued to dominate possession and control the game. PSV, however, remained dangerous in attack, with players like Noa Lang and Ismael Saibari displaying their liveliness.
Arsenal eventually secured their fourth goal in the 70th minute, with captain Odegaard unleashing an exquisite shot from 20 yards out into the bottom left-hand corner to cap off his impressive performance.
For Arsenal, the remainder of the match was about preserving the result, allowing Arteta to rest key players ahead of their upcoming Premier League clash with Tottenham. The 4-0 scoreline was a true reflection of Arsenal’s impressive return to the Champions League.