LONDON — The excitement was overwhelming at Arsenal for their long-awaited return to the Champions League after six years. To commemorate the occasion, they printed the lyrics of the competition’s anthem in the matchday programme. Although not many participants sang along to “Zadok The Priest,” the stadium burst with cheer when the familiar tune echoed through the rain-soaked Emirates Stadium. The emotional release marked the end of Arsenal’s painful absence from Europe’s premier club stage.
The Gunners were determined to make the most of this momentous occasion, and they delivered with a resounding 4-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday, displaying the confidence and expertise typically associated with seasoned Champions League contenders. Notably, none of the players from Arsenal’s previous Champions League fixture, a 5-1 home defeat against Bayern Munich in March 2017, remain at the club. With a relatively inexperienced manager in Mikel Arteta, Arsenal could have approached this prestigious event with caution. However, their performance exuded fearlessness and excitement.
“It was an incredible experience to witness the atmosphere and the Champions League music,” expressed Arteta during the post-match press conference. “Everyone, including myself, was filled with emotion before the game. I tried to control it and not show it too much, but I was genuinely thrilled.”
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“Our journey began last year when we earned the right to participate in this competition, which is where our club belongs. Now, we must continue to strive for excellence to retain our place at this level,” Arteta emphasized.
Despite PSV’s lackluster defending, Arsenal displayed the ruthless efficiency in front of goal that has been somewhat lacking in their Premier League campaign. They quickly established a commanding 3-0 lead within 38 minutes, with Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Jesus all showcasing their scoring prowess. PSV had no answer to Arsenal’s attacking prowess, allowing Arteta to make several substitutions in the second half, preserving key players for the upcoming north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
Last season, Arsenal faced PSV in the Europa League group stage, highlighting the club’s recent evolution. In October, PSV suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at Arsenal’s home ground before securing a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture. However, Arsenal’s significant investments, including the acquisitions of Trossard, Rice, and Havertz, enabled them to dominate the match and assert their authority in Group B.
Raya’s selection as Arsenal’s goalkeeper raised some eyebrows, as Arteta has hinted at rotating goalkeepers throughout the season. Starting Raya for the second consecutive game over Aaron Ramsdale suggests a significant decision in the club’s hierarchy. If Raya starts against Tottenham Hotspur and Ramsdale is chosen for the upcoming EFL Cup match against Brentford, it will solidify the pecking order.
Arsenal’s decision to sign Raya was primarily motivated by his excellent ball distribution skills, which was evident from the game’s first action. Jesus passed the ball back to Raya, who initiated an attacking move, allowing Arsenal’s defensive line to position themselves higher up the pitch. Raya had 58 touches, even surpassing midfielder Havertz, who played the full 90 minutes and displayed a commendable performance in an Arsenal jersey.
When questioned about his choices, Arteta simply stated, “I had faith in the team I wanted to field against the expected opponents. Additionally, I made other changes for the same reason.”
Arteta, who had previously been mocked for playing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” during training to prepare for a match against Liverpool at Anfield, refused to divulge further details about the anthem being played jokingly in the gym earlier in the week. Nevertheless, Arsenal demonstrated that they truly belong among Europe’s elite clubs.
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