ARSENAL all but qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League with a 1-0 win over PSV at the Emirates.
Granit Xhaka tucked home the only goal of the game with 20 minutes remaining to cap a dominant display from the hosts.
PSV rarely troubled Mikel Arteta’s men, resorting to a containment exercise for much of the 90 minutes.
And, with the Gunners only needing a draw to secure a place in at least the play-off round, Xhaka’s goal gave them the security they needed to see out the game with relative ease.
It is Arsenal’s fourth win from four games in Europe and an eighth in a row in all competitions.
Here is how SunSport’s Dylan Terry saw the performances of the Arsenal players.
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MATT TURNER – 6/10
Probably felt like he was watching the game in the same way he does from the bench most weeks.
Had one routine shot on target to deal. Will have had a better workout in the warm-up.
TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU – 8
Never looked troubled defensively throughout the 90 minutes.
Always available on the overlap for Saka which allowed the England man to chop back inside onto his more favoured left and wreak havoc.
Set up the winner by making the run outside and provided the cross for Xhaka to tuck home.
Subbed for White inside the final 15 minutes.
GABRIEL – 6
Was caught on his heels when Xavi drove forward midway through the first half. The Brazilian centre-half backed off until suddenly he found himself on the edge of his own penalty area. Will have breathed a sigh of relief when the PSV man rifled well over.
Other than that, a routine night’s work.
ROB HOLDING – 7
Positionally always kept himself in the right place.
Has just 11 minutes of Premier League football in the bank so far this season, but is yet to miss a second of Arsenal’s European campaign.
Could prove to be a key figure in this competition once they reach the latter stages – particularly if Arteta’s men are still going for the title come March/April.
KIERAN TIERNEY – 8
Celebrated his 100th Arsenal appearance with a stellar performance, linking up superbly with Nketiah down the left-hand side.
Effectively playing as a winger, he blazed a half-decent chance over the bar when the ball dropped to him inside the penalty area.
Delivered a few wicked crosses which were begging to be tapped in.
GRANIT XHAKA – 8
Produced a bizarrely brilliant flick to Jesus which the Brazilian should have finished off.
When you see how Arsenal line up in the flesh, you appreciate why Xhaka is so important. Quite clearly the link between the back six (including Lokonga) and the front four.
Scored the winner with a smart finish.
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ALBERT SAMBI LOKONGA – 6
Showcased a good range of passing, marshalling the back four and distributing the ball well.
Guilty of a couple of lapses in concentration which led to him getting caught in the middle of the park.
Replaced by Partey midway through the second half.
BUKAYO SAKA – 8
His first contribution of any note was to fizz in a dangerous cross which eventually reached Tierney, only for the Scot to fire over.
Then sold two PSV defenders down the river with a lovely piece of footwork which captivated the Arsenal crowd.
Did the same again before the break, laying it in for Nketiah whose cross/shot was well cleared away.
Could have put the game to bed late on but fired too close to Benitez from a tight angle.
FABIO VIEIRA – 5
Had a very, very quiet first 30 minutes but then came alive with a deliciously delicate cross that Jesus was inches away from turning goalwards.
But that was his only real moment of the game. His delivery into the box was a low point of the evening.
Replaced by Odegaard in the 67th minute and looked dejected by his own display.
GABRIEL JESUS – 9
Lively as ever. Linked with the rest of the front four with a classy ease, dropping into pockets of space where no-one was picking him up.
Went closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half with a low shot which rolled just wide of Benitez’s right-hand post. Also had two chances after the break but was forced off balance for both.
His best opportunity came on the hour mark when his low effort was tipped away by Benitez.
Jesus was a constant threat and a nightmare to defend against all evening.
He also put a huge effort in chasing back, often being the one to regain possession for the hosts.
Came off for Martinelli with 15 minutes remaining.
EDDIE NKETIAH – 8
Incredibly energetic early on. He and Tierney ensured Arsenal started on the front foot as they pinned PSV back on that left side.
Almost scored a breathtaking goal when he took the ball down on the touchline, drove inside and fizzed a venomous effort just wide of the top corner. Would have been special.
Led the line for the final quarter of an hour when Jesus went off.
SUBSTITUTES
THOMAS PARTEY (FOR LOKONGA, 67) – 6
MARTIN ODEGAARD (FOR VIEIRA, 67) – 6
Drove Arsenal on and clipped a couple of cute balls in behind which narrowly missed their desired target.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI (FOR JESUS, 76) – 7
Forced a good save from Benitez immediately after coming on.
A truly devastating player to bring off the bench when the defenders’ legs are tiring.
BEN WHITE (FOR TOMIYASU, 76) – 6
Did a solid enough job without ever really catching the eye.
REISS NELSON (FOR SAKA, 85) – N/A
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Didn’t have enough time to make a notable impact.
Subs not used: Ramsdale, Hein, Saliba, Cedric, Marquinhos, Cirjan, Edwards.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
