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 0-0 Arsenal
12 mins: Close! An aerial ball comes over to Sangare in midfield who manages to head it up to Simons. He spins off the shoulder of the nearest defender before cutting to the left and knocking the ball back to Gakpo.
Gakpo attempts to flick the ball up and volley it but he misses it with his shot as he slips on the turf. That would have been a tester for Ramsdale but the Gunners are able to clear it.
PSV 0-0 Arsenal
8 mins: Save! Erick Gutierrez intercepts a pass from Martin Odegaard and plays it through midfield into the feet of Ibrahim Sangare.
Sangare spins towards goal and sends the ball up to Xavi Simons. Anwar El Ghazi and Cody Gakpo make runs into the box from the wide areas forcing the Arsenal defenders to make the decision to drop awau from Simons.
That gives him time to shoot from outside the box and he draws a lunging save out of Aaron Ramsdale who pushes the ball wide of the far post.
PSV 0-0 Arsenal
5 mins: Close! The home side have been the more forward playing team so far. They work it out to the right wing where the first cross comes curling into the Arsenal penalty area.
Xavi Simons and Cody Gakpo both make runs into the middle but the ball drops over both of them and Takehiro Tomiyasu manages to work it clear.
PSV 0-0 Arsenal
3 mins: PSV captain, Cody Gakpo, had a quiet night at the Emirates stadium last week but seems to want to get on the ball tonight. He receives it out wide and comes inside to carry the ball to the edge of the box.
Philipp Max makes an overlapping run but Gakpo decides not to send him the ball. He delays too long looking for another option and Arsenal push out, close him down and force the winger to knock the ball backwards.
Kick off: PSV 0-0 Arsenal
Arsenal get the match started and knock the ball back to Aaron Ramsdale. He sends the ball over to the left wing but puts it straight out of play.
PSV vs Arsenal
Here come the teams.
Arsenal need just one point from tonight’s game to win Group A. PSV could do with a win to ensure they have a place in the knockout stages.
This should be a cracker. Kick off is up next...
Pre-match thoughts of Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta told BT Sport that first-choice keeper Aaron Ramsdale is playing tonight because Matt Turner, who usually plays in the Europa League, has a groin injury.
“We are going to play the same way we always play,” added the Arsenal boss.
“We’ve come here to be dominant. Two games are never exactly the same and the atmosphere will be very different to the one at the Emirates Stadium.”
Jordan Henderson to face no FA action following clash with Arsenal’s Gabriel
Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson will face no action following an angry spat with Arsenal defender Gabriel.
The pair clashed late in the Gunners’ 3-2 Premier League victory over the Reds at the Emirates Stadium on 9 October after the home side had been awarded a penalty.
An investigation was launched amid claims the England midfielder, who strenuously denied the allegation, had made a comment which incensed the Brazilian.
However, after launching an investigation during which both men and six more players provided witness statements, the Football Association has confirmed it will take no further action.
Jordan Henderson to face no FA action following clash with Arsenal’s Gabriel
The pair clashed after the Gunners had been awarded a controversial penalty
Xhake to become second Swiss to reach 50 European appearances
Granit Xhaka is set to make his 50th Europa League appearance – in doing so he would become only the second Swiss player to reach this milestone in the Uefa Cup/Europa League, after David Degen (51 apps).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments