Arsenal took a firm hold of Group A as they overcame a tame PSV side with a 1-0 win at the Emirates. The Gunners were dominant from start to finish as the Eredivisie side came with a game plan to frustrate but not dazzle with Cody Gakpo and company failing to impress on English soil.
Arsenal, however, were a much more confident and astute side than the performance at Elland Road showed. Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka were in much better form ahead of the trip to Southampton on Sunday, with there still time to rest key players with second-half substitutions.
The game contained plenty of interesting moments that weren’t caught by the television cameras. Luckily football.london were inside the Emirates and can provide insight on what you might have missed.
Saka thumbs up to Holding and Tomi for passes
Arsenal relished the pass in behind in the opening stages of the game. Both Rob Holding and Takehiro Tomiyasu tried chipped balls in behind for Bukayo Saka to chase.
In both instances, the 21-year-old gave a thumbs up to his teammates with the PSV left-back Philipp Max struggling to contain the tricky winger. Saka got in behind a third time in the 27th minute with a pass again from Holding; the move didn’t lead to a great chance, but again the England international thanked his compatriot as the Gunners persisted with the tactic.
Nicolas Jover is coaching Eddie Nketiah at free kicks
Arsenal were given a free-kick to the right of the PSV goal. Gabriel Jesus’ silky feet saw Erick Gutierrez bring him down for a yellow card offence.
Granit Xhaka took a poor free kick with an equally poor volleyed follow-up. However, prior to this, set-piece coach Nicolas Jover attempted to get Eddie Nketiah’s attention, who had taken up a free position on the left of the box.
The coach signalled to the forward to be running in behind. Any effort parried by Walter Benitez would be easy to collect for the forward.
Despite this, Nketiah remained still and did not look to run in. Jover walked slowly back to his seat after watching the chance flitter away.
Xhaka shouts at Bukayo Saka
Granit Xhaka looked visibly frustrated with Saka as a ball played out to the winger caught him off guard. The flight meant as Saka tried to control the ball, it deflected beyond the touchline.
After Saka, a second too late tried to keep the ball in play, Xhaka reacted to losing possession. He called out to Saka, clapping and calling for greater energy and focus.
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