ARSENAL were sloppy in defence as they lost to an energetic PSV side who punished them throughout.
The Dutch side had two goals disallowed in the first half as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s team showed their danger in attack.
Shoddy defending by The Gunners backline saw Xavi Simons score with four defenders around him – only for it to be given offside by VAR.
The hosts were eventually rewarded for their efforts when Joey Veerman found the top corner with a 55th minute strike.
Less than ten minutes later, PSV doubled their lead when Aaron Ramsdale flapped at a corner and Luuk de Jong took advantage to head into an empty net.
Mikel Arteta’s men failed to trouble Walter Benitez’s goal, despite the Spaniard making all five changes.
The Netherlands outfit had another strike given offside before they cruised to victory.
Here is how SunSport’s Alex Cole saw the performances of the Arsenal players.
Aaron Ramsdale – 5/10
Couldn’t do anything about either of the first half goals but fortunately they were both ruled out.
Beaten by Veerman but couldn’t blame him.
You could however, when he came and missed a punch from a corner and De Jong nodded home.
Takehiro Tomiyasu – 6
Played fairly well but lost Gakpo on the 54th minute but the striker didn’t make him pay.
Veerman did just a minute later as he buried his chance after Tomiyasu lost him.
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Rob Holding – 5
Fortunate to get away with an offside decision when Simons embarrassed him.
Added to Arsenal’s woes at the heart of defence. Out of position for the first strike.
William Saliba – 4
Nowhere near as assured as usual. Looked clumsy and slow. Cody Gakpo had the better of him.
The Frenchman was weak when Simons sauntered through him for the disallowed goal.
No communication with Tomiyasu for the Veerman goal as he was pulled out but the whole backline were.
Kieran Tierney – 5
Worked tirelessly as usual on both ends of the pitch.
Booked after 58 minutes with a team foul on Simons.
Although PSV’s second goal was Ramsdale’s fault, De Jong was Tierney’s man.
Martin Odegaard – 7
Helped take the sting out of the hosts at the start. Forced a save from Benitez on the half-time whistle.
Came off just after half time to have to be a rest presumably.
Sambi Lokonga – 6
Some misplaced passes in the first period. Look a bit out of his depth.
Replaced by Partay in the second half after he switched off for the first goal.
Granit Xhaka – 6
Not as good as he’s recently been but you can’t blame him for the minutes he’s played recently. Looked leggy and tired.
Yellow carded and will miss the final group stage game.
Fabio Vieira – 6
Good attacking mindset in the first half. Disappeared in the second.
Eddie Nketiah – 7
Managed to fire a goal bound strike in the 20th minute which produced a great save.
Looked fairly sharp. About the only one. Should have scored after 78 minutes.
Gabriel Martinelli – 6
Skied a great chance just before half time.
Booked in the second half for pushing a PSV player in the throat.
SUBSTITUTES
Thomas Partey (for Odegaard 56) – 5
Provide a bit of support for the back four but PSV still scored a second.
Bukayo Saka (for Lokonga 56) – 6
Gabriel Jesus (for Holding 63) – 6
Even Jesus couldn’t answer Arteta’s prayers.
Gabriel (for Tierney 73) – 6
White (for Tomiyasu 73) – 6
