The Gunners may be at the summit of both the Premier League table and their Europa League group but it’s evident that Mikel Arteta’s men have weaknesses of their own and in Thursday night’s showdown against the Netherlands’ PSV, they were left exposed as the home side matched on to a massive 2-0 victory.
What went wrong for the men from North London?
Well, after drawing against Southampton in a game in which they could have easily walked away with a victory, it was again evident that the Gunners were left frustrated and perhaps their fans would have expected more but it was an important display in front of goal as they couldn’t quite crack PSV’s defense that held on for the entire 90 minutes.
The first half may have ended on equal terms but Arsenal were fortunate not to be behind as the home side had two goals disallowed. It was obvious that the visitors were living dangerously.
The resumption of the second half and the introduction of Luuk De Jong at half-time changed the dynamics of the game, as that substitution proved to be the difference as his hold-up play set up the first, and his heading ability enabled him to score his side’s second for the Dutch.
De Jong was in sensational form and many can only imagine what the outcome would have been if he had started the game as he tore Arsenal’s defence in pieces throughout the second stanza.
He created two chances after passing eight times in the final third, and also won seven of 10 aerial duels to keep Arsenal’s defenders grasping for air.
Arsenal Europa League’s invisibility was devoured, they were thoroughly second best in this one, and PSV will now have renewed home of pipping the Gunners to top spot in Group A on matchday six.
Arsenal will genuinely feel they have enough to beat Zurich in their final match to win the group, but they will surely be looking over their shoulders at a PSV side who displayed some mouthwatering attacking sequences throughout the game.
