Arsenal delivered a record-breaking performance in the Champions League on Tuesday, dismantling PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in their last-16 first-leg clash.
The emphatic victory was the largest margin ever recorded by an away team in a Champions League knockout stage match and marked Arsenal’s most dominant win on the road in the competition’s history.
The Gunners set the tone early, striking three times in a blistering 13-minute spell during the first half.
Jurrien Timber opened the scoring in the 18th minute, followed by a goal from teenager Ethan Nwaneri.
Mikel Merino then capitalized on a defensive error to make it 3-0 by the 31st minute.
Despite PSV pulling one back before halftime through a Noa Lang penalty, Arsenal showed no mercy after the break.
Two quick goals within the opening three minutes of the second half—courtesy of captain Martin Ødegaard and Leandro Trossard, put the game out of reach.
Ødegaard found the net again in the 73rd minute before substitute Riccardo Calafiori sealed the historic rout five minutes from time.
The victory made Arsenal the first team to score seven goals in a Champions League knockout match away from home.
Arsenal dictated proceedings from the outset, though PSV had a golden chance to take the lead in the 16th minute.
A cross from Ivan Perisic was palmed into the path of Ismael Saibari by goalkeeper David Raya, but the midfielder could only rattle the crossbar from close range.
Two minutes later, the visitors made their dominance count. Declan Rice showcased his vision with a precise left-footed cross, allowing Timber to rise above Lang and nod home the opening goal.
The Gunners’ left flank continued to cause havoc, leading to their second goal. Myles Lewis-Skelly delivered a well-placed square pass, which Nwaneri latched onto before smashing it into the net from close range.
Lewis-Skelly was fortunate to remain on the pitch after escaping a second yellow card for a reckless challenge, much to the fury of PSV players and their bench.
Merino’s goal stemmed from Timber’s persistence as he weaved his way into the box. PSV struggled to clear the danger, and Ryan Flamingo’s botched clearance landed at Merino’s feet, allowing him to curl a shot into the far corner.
Arsenal conceded a penalty late in the first half when Thomas Partey’s outstretched arm caught Luuk de Jong, leading to Lang’s successful spot-kick conversion.
However, any hopes of a PSV comeback were quickly extinguished after the restart.
PSV goalkeeper Walter Benítez handed Ødegaard a gift by pushing Nwaneri’s cross directly into his path for a simple finish. Just a minute later, Trossard chipped Benítez expertly to extend the lead to 5-1.
Ødegaard later blasted home his second of the night before turning provider for Calafiori, who capped off a storming run with Arsenal’s seventh goal on a night where everything clicked for the North London side.
Despite failing to score in their previous two Premier League outings, Rice insisted the team was always confident in their ability.
“We feel we’ve been playing well as a team,” Rice said. “Sometimes we score five, sometimes two, sometimes we don’t score, but tonight we did well.”
The humiliating defeat was a historic low for PSV, as it marked the first time they had conceded seven goals at home. It was also the first instance of any Dutch club shipping seven goals in a European fixture.
“They were simply better than us in everything,” admitted PSV defender Olivier Boscagli. “We let them play. And that’s what they wanted to do. We were constantly running after them.”
