Arsenal secured a Champions League quarterfinal showdown with defending champions Real Madrid after a commanding 9-3 aggregate victory over PSV Eindhoven, following a 2-2 draw in the second leg of their round-of-16 encounter on Wednesday.

Having dismantled the Dutch side 7-1 in the first leg, Arsenal’s progression was virtually sealed before kickoff.

Any hopes PSV had of salvaging pride took an early hit when Oleksandr Zinchenko rifled home a powerful strike in the fifth minute, hinting at another dominant display from the hosts.

However, PSV found a moment of brilliance through Ivan Perisic, who leveled the score with a sublime finish in the 18th minute, giving the traveling supporters something to celebrate.

Arsenal reclaimed the lead before halftime when Declan Rice nodded in a well-delivered cross from Raheem Sterling, but PSV refused to fade quietly.

Couhaib Driouech’s composed chip in the 70th minute ensured the visitors earned a share of the spoils on the night.

Despite the result being beyond doubt, Arsenal’s night came with a setback as Sterling, who was handed a rare start, picked up a yellow card for a reckless challenge, ruling him out of the first leg against Real Madrid next month.

Zinchenko’s opener was particularly special, as it marked his first-ever goal in European competition. Receiving a pass from Sterling, he cut inside from the right before unleashing an unstoppable drive past Walter Benítez, extending Arsenal’s aggregate advantage to 8-1.

At that point, Bayern Munich’s record 12-1 knockout-stage triumph over Sporting CP in 2008-09 seemed within reach, but the Gunners opted for a more measured approach, comfortably seeing out the tie.

For the second consecutive season, Arsenal booked their place in the last eight, having been eliminated by Bayern Munich last year.

Reflecting on their achievement, manager Mikel Arteta emphasized the club’s ambition and determination to keep progressing.

“We’ve done it consistently and now we want to make the next step, which is going to be really difficult. But we are very capable of that,” Arteta told reporters before discovering their quarterfinal opponent.

“We are a club, a team that wants to be the best and wants to be competing with the best clubs in the world. And in order to do that, you have to constantly be there. And it’s very difficult. But we’ve done it for two years in a row. And we have the capacity and the ability to do it even better.”