Arsenal 4-0 PSV Eindhoven: Player ratings as Gunners mark Champions League return with big win
Arsenal's first Champions League game for over six years was well worth the wait as they emphatically beat PSV Eindhoven 4-0 in their opening group game at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners swept an incredibly attack-minded PSV aside in an utterly dominant first half, leading 3-0 at the break thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus. It could have easily been more, relishing their return to the biggest stage in front of a thunderous home crowd.
It was a slightly less clinical Arsenal performance in the second half, but Martin Odegaard's sensational driven finish from outside the area added a well-deserved fourth. The Gunners comfortably saw out the remaining 20 minutes of normal time, securing a well-earned three points.
Mikel Arteta fielded an offensive side for the visit of PSV with Kai Havertz and Odegaard operating as central midfielders in front of Declan Rice, and it didn't take Arsenal long to get themselves in front against their Dutch opponents.
PSV's confident start was ultimately fruitless as Odegaard's effort from the edge of the area was only pushed into Saka's path by Walter Benitez, with the 22-year-old making no mistake from the rebound to open his Champions League account after just eight minutes.
The attacking spirit of Peter Bosz's side was admirable but ultimately costly, with Trossard firing a beautiful low finish into the bottom corner just 12 minutes after Saka's opener to put the Gunners firmly in control at the Emirates Stadium.
It was then Jesus' turn. The Brazilian was typically mesmeric in the penalty area, producing two fine saves from the increasingly busy Benitez before smashing home a third Arsenal goal on 38 minutes after a deep cross from Trossard. Game, set and
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