Arsenal delivered a stunning 7-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at the Philips Stadion, effectively securing their passage to the quarter-finals with a performance that rewrote the record books. The Gunners, who had never won in their previous four visits to this venue, showcased an electrifying display of attacking prowess to claim their biggest-ever away win in the competition and hand PSV their heaviest home defeat in European football.
The match began with Arsenal asserting early dominance, though an initial breakthrough was denied when Declan Rice�s effort was ruled out for offside. PSV nearly capitalized moments later, as goalkeeper David Raya�s weak parry of Ivan Perisic�s cross gifted Ismael Saibari a golden chance, only for the midfielder to smash his shot against the crossbar under pressure from Gabriel Magalh�es. Ryan Flamingo�s follow-up sailed wide, and Arsenal made the hosts pay dearly for their profligacy. Rice floated a delicate ball to the back post, where Jurrien Timber rose to head home the opener in the 18th minute.
Just three minutes later, Arsenal�s Hale End academy talents combined for a second, with Myles Lewis-Skelly laying off a precise pass for 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri to fire home clinically, becoming the third-youngest scorer in a Champions League knockout match. The onslaught continued as Mikel Merino exploited PSV�s shambolic defending to slot a third into the bottom corner in the 31st minute, leaving the Dutch champions reeling.
PSV found a lifeline just before halftime when Thomas Partey fouled Luuk de Jong at a corner, and Noa Lang dispatched the resulting penalty with authority in the 43rd minute. However, any hopes of a comeback were obliterated within minutes of the restart. Martin Odegaard restored Arsenal�s three-goal cushion just over a minute into the second half, and Leandro Trossard added a fourth 99 seconds later, linking brilliantly with substitute Riccardo Calafiori to dink the ball over PSV goalkeeper Walter Ben�tez.
Despite a brief flicker of resistance from PSV�highlighted by De Jong�s header being saved by Raya�Arsenal�s relentless pressure never wavered. Nwaneri remained a constant threat, forcing a corner that Gabriel headed off-target, before Odegaard glided to the edge of the box in the 73rd minute to beat Ben�tez again, despite the keeper�s touch. The Norwegian captain then turned provider, setting up Calafiori for Arsenal�s seventh in the 85th minute, sealing a fifth consecutive Champions League victory�a feat the club last achieved en route to the 2005/06 final.
The 7-1 rout not only marked Arsenal�s largest away win in the competition but also underscored their resurgence under Mikel Arteta, who has now guided the team to a commanding position ahead of the return leg in London. For PSV, the defeat was a humbling low, surpassing their previous worst European home loss (6-0 to Saint-Etienne in 1980) and leaving their hopes of progression hanging by a thread.
With one foot firmly in the quarter-finals, Arsenal�s next challenge could see them face the winner of the Real Madrid-Atl�tico Madrid tie. For now, the Gunners can bask in a historic night that reaffirmed their credentials as serious contenders in Europe�s elite competition.
