Arsenal got off to the perfect start in the Champions League thrashing Dutch side PSV Eindhoven 4-0 at a sodden Emirates Stadium.
Bukayo Saka marked his debut in Europe’s premier competition with an early strike, pouncing on a rebound, before Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus extended the lead before the break in ruthless style.
While the visitors probed and had chances of their own, the result never looked in doubt even before Martin Odegaard drilled home from long range to complete the scoring.
Here’s what was said during and after the match.
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Mikel Arteta on being emotional pre-game about Arsenal’s return to the Champions League…
I was yeah, I was really excited about it, I wanted to control and not show that too much, but I was really excited, and in the end it’s part of the journey, the journey started last year and we earned the right to be in this competition, which is where we have to be as a club and now we have the responsibility to produce what we have to produce to stay at this level.
Source: Post-game press conference | Hayters
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Mikel Arteta on whether it was a statement win…
It is more for us that we can perform at this level and it is nothing different to what we experience every single week in the Premier League. It is the best preparation for us and shows that a lot of players that play international level are used to these competitions as well. Emotionally, winning is the best, the best, the best. It is the best thing you can do, and I now have 24 players desperate to play on Sunday.
Source: Arsenal.com
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Peter Bosz, PSV manager, on a painful night for his side…
If you look at the result, certainly, and in the end that is what matters. I can’t blame the players for anything else. They worked, they played with the ball, but the difference in quality was too great. I’m willing to take a critical look at myself. They defended well in their box, we did not in ours. Then you run into a major defeat. If we play more at this level more, we’ll learn from these mistakes. I hope we can see that in the second leg in December, against the best team in the group and one of the best teams in the world.
Source: Vi.nl
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“Good headaches!” 🧠
Mikel Arteta talks squad depth, celebrating Arsenal’s #UCL return with a win and looking forward to the north London derby… 👀
🎙️ @J_Dyer_Official pic.twitter.com/KSIICSsxXF
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 20, 2023
Mikel Arteta on spreading goals around the team…
This is what we need. They are used to doing that and, as well, they got involved in many goals, the four of them especially. So I’m really pleased to do that, really pleased for Gabi [Jesus] as well, because he had a couple of chances before that. So that’s what we need. Last year it was a big thing for us and we have to continue to develop.
Source: TNT Sport
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Martin Odegaard on the energy of the supporters…
We just have to thank them once again for everything they do for us, how much energy they give us and we’re all together. So that’s great to see.
Source: TNT Sports
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Martin Odegaard on Arsenal having room for improvement…
There were a lot of things we could have done better. Without the ball, we let them run too many times and gave them a lot of space, especially in the first half. And then we adjusted a little bit in the second half, and it was better, but on the ball we played some really good football and scored some great goals. We have to take the good things and learn from the things we could have done better. All the games are coming quickly now and we have to be ready for Sunday, recover and get the legs fresh again.
Source: Arsenal.com
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Mikel Arteta on the performance of Kai Havertz…
He was very connected today in the game. It’s true that I ask him to play in two different roles in regard to the opponent’s behaviours. He’s so intelligent the way he does it. It’s just finishing one or two actions that we had again, but it’s coming and he’s so willing to do it.
Source: Post-game press conference | Arsenal.com
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Sections of the North Bank chanting at Havertz…
Big fucking German, we’ve got a big fucking German, biiiiiig fucking Germaaaaaaan.
Source: Me
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The Arsenal are cooking 🍳#UCL pic.twitter.com/gHCV9X00bj
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 20, 2023
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Martin Keown on the movement of Arsenal’s wingers…
They create that kind of canvas in wide areas, nice and wide. That’s really difficult to play against. Arsenal’s wingers [create] this one vs one situation. And it’s what the opposite winger then is doing, moving into position. No one really stops moving and they’re all alive to this situation. And I really like the way [Leandro] Trossard particularly has come into the team again tonight and he has just picked it up.
Source: Daily Express (via TNT Sports)
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Ian Wright channelling the thoughts of every Arsenal fan…
I want to play in this team.
Source: Twitter
Havertz has some work to do to equal what Per Mertesacker has done for this club. But two things aren’t in doubt. He is big. And he’s German.
Bro. I’ve got 3 problems with this chant.
It’s supposed to be a joke – I hope – check his name.
You reckon the only missing piece is “fucking”?
Yeap, Needs to fuck the opposition
You’re overestimating BFG a bit.
I’ve no probs with the chant.
But nothing from last night comes even close to Willies pirouette moment❤️❤️❤️❤️
Well maybe Benny Blancs “ankle tap”
Happy for Saka to score our first CL goal in this run!
Definitely a much better game from Havertz. I think once he gets his first goal things will really improve for his confidence. You can see his intelligence out there, just needs to get involved more and become more assertive which hopefully he will with time. Definitely worked harder defensively than he had in the prior games. It is always great to see a big number of goals scored by so many different players (each of our attacking four players got one) which seems to always be the case with this team. So much versatility in the squad and makes us… Read more »
This is a mean lean machine ready to be unleashed in Europe.
BFG love it when we got one of those
Per Mertesacker has my undying love and gratitude just from his playing days with us, not to mention that he is doing a great job with the academy! So now we have zwei BFGs.
Ben White’s run anyone? 😍
All the more enjoyable because PSV is actually a very decent side.
Did anyone else see the interaction between Øde and Elneny on the pitch after the match. Elneny is such a treasure, and such a hype-man. I know – and so does he – that he’s unlikely to play much, but to see someone so worked up and ecstatic for his teammates, is genuinely moving, and is for me one of the great signs of what this team is, and how far we can go. I don’t know what we’re paying Mo, but he’s worth it. I love that big stupid grin on his face, his high-five and .. he just… Read more »
I love Mo more. One of my best arsenal players of all time.
Ĺol.
We should give him another year on his contract, he’s not expensive and he’s magic to have around. I expect him to slot in seamlessly when he’s back fit, always mister reliable.
After that, he can become Deputy Head of Academy.
Ruthlessness towards Tierney and perhaps Ramsdale, endless love for El Neny for being a decent nice man. Arsenal SC, the social club in action.
Different end spectrum, I’m sure if KT wanted to stay, he could’ve and we would’ve got rid of Cedric, and he would’ve made the bench last night, but there’s still Nelli and TP5 to come back from injury and when they do he may not even make the bench. I’m sure KT is happier in Real Sociedad playing regularly and CL. With Ramsdale we don’t know what’s going on; he’s at £63k a week and has a long contract. Maybe we are looking to cash in , or was angling for a move.
What silly comment. Did you see KT happy on the bench? He is happy now.
I just love Wrighty! As a player and now as a pundit too! He just wears his Arsenal heart on his sleeve always… political correctness be damned!
Thing is he does both. He’s honest and respectful that PSV are a good attacking side, but also fucking loves it when we smash in four goals against them.
Great thing about Wrighty is he is so passionate about Arsenal and yet so fair, balanced and gracious in his analysis.
Special character!
Big-up the handle too – DB also my all-time fav player 😊
“The best team in the group and one of the best teams in the world.” At first, the second part of that statement sounds a bit like he is just trying to shore up the morale of his own team after a hiding. But, are there ten teams in the world that are clearly better than Arsenal? I can think of only four where the opposition should be favoured (the usual suspects: Barca–probably–and Madrid, Bayern, and City) and a handful of others where it might be considered even. So, yes, one of the best teams in the world.
I want us to meet Barca in the knockout rounds and, like a kid with a magnifying glass standing over an anthill in the midday sun, absolutely roast them. 2006 CL final was the sliding doors moment where had we’ve won, Henry gets Balloon d’Or and stays. The winnings affords us squad improvements with Messi’s head turned as opposed to Henry’s, Leo joins his mate Cesc and that supremely talented project youth team that played sublime football but were picked apart by wealthier clubs each year just as their talents blossomed. Despite the financial constraints of the new stadium, that… Read more »
I’m sure Arteta has similar sentiments considering he started his career there…
We’re fourth favorites for the Champions League – so, like you, the bookies think we’re in the top 5 as well.