Champions League: Underwhelming Arsenal Held To 1-1 Draw At PSV Eindhoven

Published

5 months ago

December 12, 2023

Editor

A much-changed and lacklustre Arsenal were held 1-1 at Dutch league leaders PSV Eindhoven Tuesday, a result that still sees the Gunners top Champions League Group B.

The pressure was off as both sides had already secured their ticket to the last 16 and Arsenal in particular appeared to lack a competitive bite at the Philips Stadion.

PSV have been the runaway team to catch in this season’s Eredivisie, winning all 15 of their matches and opening up a 10-point gap with nearest challenger Feyenoord.

And it was the Dutch side which started the brighter, a smart move down the right slicing open the Gunners’ defence only for striker Ricardo Pepi to somehow contrive to miss from close range.

Arsenal boss Mikael Arteta made eight changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Aston Villa in the Premier League at the weekend and the Gunners lacked organisation at the back and penetration up front.

PSV created several first-half chances with slick interplay and Belgian international striker Yorbe Vertessen hit the post with a fine header that had Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale beaten.

Arsenal’s first meaningful chance came with nearly half an hour gone, a speculative shot from Egyptian international defender Mohamed Elneny fizzing just past the post.

But the London club took the lead just minutes before the break, as striker Eddie Nketiah was given too much space in the box and fired a low shot into the corner.

One-nil to the Arsenal — against the run of play.

Scoring an impressive 52 goals in domestic competition, PSV have lost only once this season — to Arsenal, who smashed them 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium in the reverse fixture.

And they were back on level terms less than five minutes into the second half when another through-ball dissected the Arsenal midfield and Vertessen curled his shot expertly past Ramsdale.

The hosts continued to stroke the ball around with confidence and Ramsdale kept his side in the game with a fingertip save from Moroccan international Ismael Saibari.

The Gunners were deprived of what would have been an undeserved win as Jakub Kiwior’s powerful header on 82 minutes was ruled out for offside.

And PSV squandered a gilt-edged chance to snatch it at the death, Guus Til dragging his shot wide after being put through for a one-on-one with the keeper.

While both sides continued to press gamely, neither would have been too disappointed with a dead-rubber draw that sees them both into the hat for the last 16.

Related Topics:Arsenal Champions League PSV Eindhoven

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EPL: Haaland Finishes Top Goal Scorer [See list]

Published

10 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

Erling Haaland has finished as the English Premier League (EPL) top goal scorer for a second consecutive season as Manchester City beat West Ham 3-1 to win a fourth consecutive title.

The Norwegian striker was absent for two months of the season through injury and struggled to match the heights of his debut campaign at City when he struck 52 times in all competitions, including a Premier League record 36.

The 23-year-old failed to add to his 27 Premier League goals on the final day but still proved decisive in the run-in to help City secure an unprecedented fourth consecutive English top-flight crown.

Haaland scored nine times in his final seven Premier League appearances of the season to help City edge Arsenal to the title by two points.

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who himself started the season at City, was second in the top scorer standings with 22 goals, one ahead of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.

EPL Top Goal Scorer Chart
27: Haaland (Man City)

22: Palmer (Chelsea)

21: Isak (Newcastle)

19: Foden (Man City), Solanke (Bournemouth), Watkins (Aston Villa)

18: Salah (Liverpool)

17: Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

READ ALSO: Guardiola Makes Decision On Man City Future After ‘Insane’ Six EPL Titles
16: Bowen (West Ham), Mateta (Crystal Palace), Saka (Arsenal)

14: Jackson (Chelsea), Wood (Nottm Forest)

13: Havertz (Arsenal)

12: Cunha (Wolves), Hwang (Wolves), Trossard (Arsenal), Wissa (Brentford)

11: Alvarez (Man City), Eze (Crystal Palace), Gordon (Newcastle), Morris (Luton), Nunez (Liverpool), Richarlison (Tottenham)

10: Adebayo (Luton), Bailey (Aston Villa), Fernandes (Man Utd), Hojlund (Man Utd), Jota (Liverpool), Olise (Crystal Palace)

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PHOTOS: Man City Fans, Players Celebrate Record Fourth EPL Title In Style

Published

10 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

Man City on Sunday made history after clinching their fourth consecutive English Premier League (EPL) crown.

At the blast of the final whistle, the Etihad was occupied with fans and players in jubilant mood as the lush green pitch turned white and blue.

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Guardiola Makes Decision On Man City Future After ‘Insane’ Six EPL Titles

Published

11 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

Pep Guardiola has said he has intention to leave Man City after winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title, and sixth in seven years, on Sunday.

Phil Foden scored twice as City beat West Ham 3-1 at the Etihad to edge out Arsenal by two points and deny the Gunners a first league title in 20 years.

“When I moved here if someone had said I would win six leagues in seven seasons I would say you’re insane – no way,” said Guardiola.

“All these players for Manchester United and Liverpool and Chelsea, all these teams. Now is our period. We are part of that,” added the 53-year-old.

Guardiola has now won 15 major trophies in eight seasons as Man City manager and could add another in the FA Cup final next weekend.

The Catalan has a contract at the Etihad until 2025 and said he intends to see out at least one more year in Man City.

“The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying after eight years. We have talked with the club — my feeling is that I want to stay now. I will stay next season and during the season we will talk.”