PSV vs Arsenal Europa League result, final score and reaction tonight as Veerman and De Jong - live
The Gunners went down 2-0 with three disallowed goals for the Dutch giants
Arsenal slipped to just a second defeat of the season after being outplayed at PSV Eindhoven as they failed to ensure top spot in their Europa League group.
A point would have been enough for the Gunners, but they were deservedly beaten 2-0 by Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side, with Joey Veerman and Luuk de Jong grabbing the goals.
Arsenal can still top Group A - and avoid the knockout round play-offs against the likes of Barcelona and Sevilla - by matching or bettering PSV‘s result in the final round of pool fixtures, but manager Mikel Arteta will be ruing having missed a chance to wrap things up early and rest players for their final Europa League game before the World Cup.
After confusion in the build-up surrounding what shorts Arsenal would wear to avoid a kit clash, the visitors ended up riding by the seat of their pants as PSV had two goals disallowed before finally opening the scoring through Veerman.
Aaron Ramsdale - on his European debut, with Matt Turner missing out as a precaution due to a groin issue - made a fine low save from Xavi Simons before Cody Gakpo fluffed his lines moments later, with the hosts setting the scene for the rest of the evening.
Gakpo was quiet at the Emirates Stadium a week ago but showed his quality in collecting a through ball and clipping a fine finish over Ramsdale - only to have his celebrations cut short by an offside flag.
With the game opening up, Eddie Nketiah drew a smart stop out of Walter Benitez with a near-post flick from Fabio Vieira’s cross.
PSV had a second goal of the half disallowed after Simons battled past Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding and William Saliba before finishing beyond Ramsdale, only for Anwar El Ghazi to have been caught offside in the build-up.
The half ended with Martin Odegaard stinging the palms of Benitez, but the visitors went for the break lucky to be level.
Nketiah flashed a shot past the post and Tierney curled over the crossbar as Arsenal started the second half brighter.
PSV, though, were still a threat at the other end, with Simons and Veerman both calling Ramsdale into action before Gakpo flashed a shot across goal.
It was third time lucky for the hosts, Veerman steering home a fine finish to break the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half.
Shortly afterwards the lead was doubled. De Jong, having been introduced at half-time, made the most of Ramsdale coming off his line and failing to punch clear a corner which the PSV skipper duly nodded home.
Arsenal, with Thomas Partey, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus all thrown on in an attempt to turn the game around, almost went three behind as Gakpo turned in a cross only to once again be thwarted by an offside flag.
De Jong then headed a fine chance wide with Arteta’s side well and truly on the ropes, although Nketiah still worked Benitez as Everton loanee Jarrad Branthwaite cleared away bravely.
Arsenal could not get any closer to a consolation than that, with former United striker Van Nistelrooy dishing out just a second loss of the campaign to Arteta’s side after the Red Devils won their Premier League meeting last month.
PSV vs Arsenal
Having lost the reverse fixture last week, PSV are looking to avoid losing consecutive matches in Europe for the first time since November 2019.
Gabriel Jesus sends message to Arsenal teammates after Southampton draw
Gabriel Jesus says Arsenal’s stuttering 1-1 draw at Southampton must serve as a wake-up call for the Premier League leaders.
Mikel Arteta’s in-form side led at St Mary’s through Granit Xhaka’s early strike but dropped points for only the second time this season after fading during a sloppy second-half performance.
Gunners forward Jesus failed to capitalise on a handful of opportunities to stretch the visitors’ advantage before Stuart Armstrong equalised for battling Saints, 25 minutes from time.
While the Brazil international expects intense public scrutiny of Sunday’s display, he is optimistic of a swift response and urged his team-mates not to panic.
Gabriel Jesus sends message to Arsenal teammates after Southampton draw
The Premier League leaders dropped points at St Mary’s on Sunday
Arsenal’s European away record
Arsenal have won each of their last three matches in Europe without conceding a goal, last winning four games in a row without conceding between August-October 2007 (five games).
They have also scored at least once in each of their last 16 European away games with 11 wins, three draws and two defeats coming in that run.
Jesus on playing 70 games this year
Gabriel Jesus says that the preparation and recovery he and his teammates put in off the pitch mean that they are ready to play 70 games a season if required which may be the case this year given the mid-season World Cup break.
When asked if he would be tired after a 70 game season, Jesus replied: “Of course not. 100 per cent because I’m doing good recovery after the games – eating better, sleeping better, and enjoying life in the Arsenal shirt a lot. I’m ready to play 50, 60, 70 games per season.
“It’s not all about the body, the mind is more important because it controls the body. So I stay with my family, play with my daughter, that helps me a lot.
“Then, of course, I do stuff in the club, at home, with the fitness coaches. My wife is helping me a lot as well. But that’s life and you have to enjoy it at home, at work and you feel freer to enjoy it.”
Arteta on Lokonga
Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, says that there is still more to come from midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga who is hoping to make his case to play more minutes for the Gunners.
“We’ll see more, and he has to prove that what he’s asking for he can produce on the pitch.” said the Arsenal boss,
“We’re looking for every single player to raise their level and get the right competition in the team, and when you play and perform in a way that we win and play well enough to win games.”
Ramsdale makes Europa League debut
Aaron Ramsdale makes his Europa League debut for Arsenal tonight. American goalkeeper Matt Turner has been deputising for Ramsdale so far this season but a clean sheet tonight would ensure Arsenal finish top of Group A.
Martinelli tons up
Gabriel Martinelli is set to start in tonight’s game which will be his 100th appearance in all competitions for the Gunners.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta eager to wrap up first place finish in Europa League
Mikel Arteta stressed the importance of Arsenal sealing top spot in their Europa League group, which they will accomplish with at least a point against PSV Eindhoven on Thursday.
The Gunners’ perfect record through four Group A matches has already earned them qualification, but finishing top of group will see them advance directly to the last 16.
Avoiding the runner-up spot, currently held by their Dutch opponents, would mean the Premier League leaders would not play an extra two-legged tie against a team dropping down from the Champions League.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta eager to wrap up first place finish in Europa League
Finishing first would mean two fewer games for the Gunners.
PSV’s last home victory against English opponents
The last time PSV earned a home victory against an English team was in 2015, when goals from Luciano Narsingh and Hector Moreno resulted in a 2-1 triumph over Manchester United.
Former PSV star Memphis Depay scored for the visitors - and won man of the match - but the game is most famous for being the encounter in which left-back Luke Shaw suffered his double leg break.
Madueke ready to play
PSV’s Noni Madueke, who is still returning to full fitness after an ankle injury, was asked at yesterday’s press conference whether he was able to play a full match.
"Yes, I think it’s possible, for sure, but it’s up to the coach.” he replied, “Obviously every game has a different story, so that will be decided tomorrow.
"Of course it’s nice to play against the top team. I think they’re [Arsenal] one of the best teams in the world this year. That’s motivation for me, but also for the whole team and the staff as well.
“We want to show our quality in a big, big European game. Hopefully we can do just that."
Madueke is named on the bench for PSV tonight but could feature late in the game.
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