Arsenal booked their spot in the knockout phase of the UEFA Europa League after edging PSV Eindhoven 1-0 on Thursday evening.
UEFA Europa League
Result: Arsenal 1-0 PSV Eindhoven
Date: 20 October 2022
Venue: Emirates Stadium
The Gunners made four changes to the side that edged past Bodo/Glimt a week ago, as Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Granit Xhaka and Gabriel Jesus were brought back to bolster the side.
Mikel Arteta's charges took the game to PSV in the opening exchanges as Kieran Tierney had a chance to put them ahead after a flick on by Eddie Nketiah gave him a clear sight at goal but he smashed his strike over the crossbar.
Ruud van Nistelrooy's troops were back-pedaling and Jesus had a chance to break the deadlock for the hosts on 20 minutes after a through by Xhaka in the box but he dragged his shot agonizingly wide.
Arsenal continued to put a string of passes together going forward, looking for openings in the last third and Fabio Vieira also came close to getting the breakthrough shortly before the interval with a curling free-kick that hit the side-netting.
The Gunners settled quickly in the second stanza as they remained on the ascendancy and Bukayo Saka had a big chance ten minutes later after he weaved himself clear on goal but his low shot was smothered by goalkeeper Walter Benitez from point-blank range.
Arteta's men grew more in confidence and Jesus also came close around the hour-mark after he got past a couple of challenges to go through in the box but his low strike was kept out by the strong hand of Benitez at full stretch.
Arsenal made a double change to inject fresh energy and experience on 67 minutes as Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard both came on for Albert Sambi Lokonga and Vieira.
The changes made an immediate difference, as Xhaka eventually broke the deadlock three minutes later with a bouncing half-volley in the box from a rebound in the box after a low cross by Tomiyasu, who was put through on the right flank by Odegaard.
PSV looked lively going forward on transitions but they lacked the cutting edge, with Arsenal the most threatening side in the dying minutes, as the English outfit held on to secure their fourth straight win at the top of Group A and qualified for the knockout phase.
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