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.
GOAL! PSV 1-0 Arsenal (Simons, 43’)⚽️
43 mins: Wonderful footwork!
This is glorious skill from Xavi Simons who takes the ball off Anwar El Ghazi after he chests down a diagonal pass. Simons weaves past one the two defenders before getting into the box.
He then checks to the right and past Rob Holding then guides his effort past Aaron Ramsdale to send PSV in front.
PSV 0-0 Arsenal
40 mins: Chance! Arsenal fizz the ball into the box from the left wing but it get headed out as far as Tomiyasu.
He nods the ball back into the middle and picks of Gabriel Martinelli who chests the ball under control then smokes his effort over the crossbar on the volley.
PSV 0-0 Arsenal
37 mins: Tomiyasu had a great game last week up against Gakpo and has started strong again tonight.
An aerial pass sees the ball bounce into the Arsenal box but the right-back leans on Gakpo and checks his run long enough for Ramsdale to come out and scoop up the ball.
Good strength from Japanese defender.
PSV 0-0 Arsenal
34 mins: Arsenal haven’t really got out of second gear yet. They’re moving the ball well but there’s no urgency or pace to their play. They seem content to keep the ball away from PSV and wait for the moment to get in behind.
PSV 0-0 Arsenal
31 mins: Granit Xhaka looks to drive the ball through midfield but he gives it away with a poor touch allowing PSV to come flying forward on a counter-attack.
Xavi Simons takes the ball over to the left side of goal but doesn’t have an angle to cross it over to Anwar El Ghazi instead he knocks it to Cody Gakpo who runs into trouble and loses the ball.
PSV 0-0 Arsenal
28 mins: Half-chances are coming at both ends. Arsenal put the ball into the penalty area from the right side and Eddie Nketiah just misses out on a headed chance from inside the six yard as the ball skims over the top of his head.
PSV 0-0 Arsenal
25 mins: Another cross into box for Arsenal is whipped straight into the hands of Walter Benitez who confidently comes out to claim the ball.
Arsenal have responded to the disallowed ball by keeping possession for longer periods.
PSV 0-0 Arsenal
22 mins: That was a gorgeous goal from Cody Gakpo but the replays show he clearly started his run too soon and strayed offside.
Arsenal win another corner that is swung in from Martin Odegaard. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Granit Xhaka make runs to the near post but the cross hits a defender and goes behind.
The referee believes it went out off Tomiyasu and awards a goal kick. The Arsenal right-back is not pleased with that decision.
PSV 0-0 Arsenal
19 mins: Disallowed goal!
PSV think they’ve taken the lead as a beautifully weighted pass comes through the middle of the final third and sends Cody Gakpo in behind the Arsenal lines.
He runs the ball into the box then chips it over Aaron Ramsdale who tries to close him down. The ball bounces into the back of the net but the celebrations are cut short but the raising of the offside flag!
PSV 0-0 Arsenal
15 mins: Chance! This is better from Arsenal.
They take their time in the build up and work the ball from one side of the pitch to the other. Gabriel Martinelli receives the ball on the inside left channel and takes a shot from range. His effort takes a big deflection and loops over the top of the crossbar.
Arsenal win a corner.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments