Resilient PSV bows its head to Arsenal after the break | Football

The PSV players – enthusiastically supported by 2400 accompanying fans – had difficulty with the required higher speed of action in the Emirates Stadium. For example, Ibrahim Sangaré was twice easily run off the ball, while he was walking with the ball, something that almost always goes well in the Netherlands. For the players with Premier League ambitions, such as Sangaré and Cody Gakpo, the match at the Emirates Stadium was a great opportunity to give a business card to any interested clubs. Not much came of that, because it was such a one-sided game.

It was Arsenal that dominated and were almost always on the attack. There was no more than stopping for PSV in large parts of the match, although the Eindhoven team occasionally managed to play out under the pressure by clever passing from Joey Veerman and Erick Gutierrez in particular. From an offensive point of view, PSV’s drive for action was extremely modest.

Only when Simons touched the ball did the PSV game gain a bit of momentum. The youthful midfielder has audacity and, due to his past at Paris Saint-Germain, is more used to the faster pace than his teammates. Simons also signed for PSV’s only goal before half-time. After an acceleration in midfield, his shot was too rushed and misplaced.

Well organized

Despite the limited attacking power, Van Nistelrooy was satisfied with what his team showed. PSV was well organised, played compact and, despite the many attack waves from Arsenal, did not give much away. A corner narrowly missed by two Arsenal players, a dangerous cross that was slipped in front of goal by Gutierrez and a good shooting opportunity for Fabio Vieira as the Portuguese with the special Arsenal name placed the ball poorly were in the first half the most dangerous Arsenal moments. Suffice it to say that Arsenal had nine shots in the first half but failed to get a single shot between the posts.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had adjusted his squad six positions from last weekend’s league game against Leeds United. Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Ødegaard, Thomas Partey, William Saliba and Ben White started on the bench, while also making a change under the bar. This time Matt Turner kept goal instead of Aaron Ramsdale. PSV coach Ruud van Nistelrooy had left his team and way of fighting intact and sent the same eleven players into the field as against FC Utrecht last Sunday.

Guus Til duels with Gabriel Magalhaes.

Ⓒ ANP/HH

The weak spot at PSV was left back Philipp Max, who had a lot of trouble with Bukayo Saka. The German always bit at the winger’s actions and was regularly wrong. In the phase after the break, Max PSV’s vulnerability seemed to be breaking down, but first Gabriel Jesus produced nothing more than a limp roller after a one-two with Saka and then Saka, who had shown Max his heels once again, bounced back. on goalkeeper Walter Benitez.

The keeper had a bad moment on a visit to Great Britain earlier this season when he blundered in the Champions League play-off against Rangers FC, but was on a roll this time. Especially in the phase after the break, the Argentinian had to constantly work, because PSV came under increasing pressure, often with attacks on the side of Max. Benitez saved the day with good opportunities for Gabriel Jesus (twice) and hand tie Saka, while Eddy Nketiah curled the ball just wide after a good play.

Like a Hansje Brinker with a finger in the dike, PSV tried with all their might to keep it dry, but the difference in power became increasingly apparent. Van Nistelrooy spoke to his reserves and brought in both Noni Madueke and Luuk de Jong after the break. Both have recovered after a lengthy period of injury. Jordan Teze also joined the squad so that Max could be put out of his misery and Phillipp Mwene could move to left back position.

The wait was for a moment when Arsenal could take advantage of a moment of inattention and that presented itself when Granit Xhaka lost sight of around the penalty spot and was able to dock in complete freedom. Benitez had no answer to the placed shot (1-0). Immediately afterwards, the goalkeeper had to save again when Saka and Martinelli came in as substitute. PSV crawled out of the shell a little more offensively, which resulted in goals from Simons and Madueke, while De Jong appeared in a promising position, but was not served well by Teze. Until the very end, PSV continued to fight to get a point from the gates of hell, as they succeeded in 2007 with Alex’s late equalizer, but this time it was not possible. Next week in Eindhoven, PSV will have another chance to take a result against Arsenal to create an advantage on the way to the expected decisive final group match against FK Bodø/Glimt in two weeks.