Arsenal wrapped up their return to the UEFA Champions League group stage with a 1-1 draw away to PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday, finishing top of Group B after six seasons out of Europe’s top competition.
[ MORE: UEFA Champions League group stage tables in full ]
The Gunners clinched top spot in the group and a seeded spot in next Monday’s draw for the round of 16 during the previous round of fixtures, which prompted Mikel Arteta to make eight changes to the starting lineup that lost 1-0 to Aston Villa on Saturday.
Arsenal went ahead just before halftime, as Eddie Nketiah worked a yard or two of space for himself and fired a perfectly placed arrow into the bottom, off the inside of the post, from the top of the penalty area in the 42nd minute. The goal came at a time in the game when PSV were on the front foot and creating a handful of scoring chances inside 10 yards.
[ MORE: Champions League schedule, scores ]
PSV proved to be hardly deterred by the goal, as they began the second half as brightly as the first and finally got their reward. It was a pair of Americans who combined in the build-up, as Malik Tillman carried the ball forward from PSV’s defensive third and picked out Ricardo Pepi with a threaded through ball in behind. Pepi dribbled to the edge of the box before laying it off to Yorbe Vertessesn, who made the overlapping run into the penalty area at the perfect time. Vertessen curled a deft strike off the inside of the far post with his first touch to make it 1-1.
Player ratings - PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal
PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal, final score: 1-1
Goalscorers: Eddie Nketiah (42'), Yorbe Vertessen (50')
42nd minute - GOAL - Eddie Nketiah fires an arrow into the bottom corner for 1-0
First start in the #UCL ✅
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 12, 2023
First goal in the #UCL ✅
Eddie Nketiah is loving life in the Champions League this evening! pic.twitter.com/bntwZ544AD
50th minute - GOAL - Yorbe Vertessen pings the far post from a tight angle for 1-1
MALIK TILLMAN ➡️ RICARDO PEPI ➡️ YORBE VERTESSEN
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 12, 2023
First #UCL goal for the 22-year-old. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/gsVlI90uce
How to watch PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal live, stream, start time live updates
Date: Tuesday, December 12
Kick off: 12:45pm ET
How to watch: Paramount+ and TUDN USA
PSV Eindhoven starting lineup
Benitez — Teze, Silva, Obispo, Junior — van Aanholt, Tillman, Saibari — Bakayoko, Pepi, Vertessen
Arsenal starting lineup
Ramsdale — Soares, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior — Jorginho, Elneny, Trossard — Havertz, Nketiah, Nelson
PSV Eindhoven focus, team news
PSV is roaring in Eredivisie play, where they’ve taken all 45 points available to them and hold a 10-point lead on second-place Feyenoord just 15 matches into the season.
OUT: Armel Bella-Kotchap (shoulder), Armando Obispo (knee)
Arsenal focus, team news
The Gunners lost to Aston Villa at the weekend and will be looking to this as a palette cleanser, even as Sunday’s visit from Brighton will play a bigger role in their season goals.
OUT: Thomas Partey (thigh), Emile Smith-Rowe (knee), Jurrien Timber (torn ACL - out for season), Fabio Vieira (hip), Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf)