Unstoppable Arsenal trounce PSV in UEFA Champions League return

Arsenal were making their return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 2016-17 season, and found it easy with a 4-0 win over PSV at the Emirates.

For over six years, fans of Arsenal have had to watch the Champions League from outside, but Mikel Arteta delivered Champions League football to their stadium once more. Their first opponents were PSV, a side that defeated them once in the group stage of last season’s UEFA Europa League.

Arsenal needed only eight minutes to find the lead at home, with star forward Bukayo Saka finding the back of the net on his debut in the competition. The 21-year-old was on hand to fire home the rebound after a shot from Martin Odegaard was spilled by the PSV goalkeeper.

The Gunners doubled their lead in the 20th minute, as Leandro Trossard fired home from just outside the box following a cut-back from the impressive Saka.

Arsenal were rampant and soon found a third through striker Gabriel Jesus, who rifled home a fine effort from inside the box after a cross from Trossard landed at his feet in the 38th minute.

A fourth goal soon arrived for the home side, with captain Odegaard adding his name to the scoresheet. The Norway international scored what is fast becoming a trademark drilled finish from the edge of the penalty box after a low cross from Reiss Nelson.

Arsenal end the first round of matches on top of the group after Sevilla and Lens played out a 1-1 draw in the group’s other game.