scare
PSV Eindhoven stun Arsenal in Europa League with Aaron Ramsdale and his defence left shaken as ex-Newcastle striker Luuk de Jong scores and Manchester United transfer target Cody Gakpo shines
Shaky Arsenal defending was punished by PSV Eindhoven as they fell to a 2-0 defeat in Netherlands, leaving their chances of winning their Europa League group in doubt.
Top Champions League teams, such as Barcelona, are dropping into the knockout stages of Europe's secondary competition and finshing top of Group A is vital to avoid a knockout round play-off clash.
7
7
Now, though, the Gunners need to win their final fixture with FC Zurich as the Dutch giants close the gap to two points with their victory.
Joey Veerman and former Newcastle United striker Luuk de Jong grabbed the goals on the night - but it could easily have been a bigger scoreline were it not for an active officiating team with three strikes disallowed for offside.
In the first half, Mikel Arteta's side led a charmed life.
Winger Cody Gakpo, coveted by Manchester United, and former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star Xavi Simons both saw efforts chalked off.
Captain Gakpo, also wanted by Southampton and Leeds, saw an exquisite finish ruled out after 19 minutes.
Coming inside from his role out on the left, he left centre-back William Saliba trailing him and topped it off with a delicate chip over European debutant Aaron Ramsdale, who had scurried off his line.
7
7
7
7
Most read in Europa League
The reality behind Gakpo's victory in the foot-race with France ace Saliba was, though, that he was a good yard infront of him when the ball was played.
Not even Tottenham manager Antonio Conte would disagree with that outcome. It was so clear that VAR wasn't even needed.
Two minutes before the break, Simons was the next to be denied - although this time the video assistant did have to get involved.
Some fine work from Anwar El Ghazi, formerly of Aston Villa, put the wonderkid through on goal.
He dipped past Rob Holding and, somehow, bettered Saliba physically as the Frenchman tried to avoid giving away a careless penalty.
7
Simons rolled the ball past Ramsdale with ease but, after a quick check, it was a free-kick to Arsenal.
But in the second period, with 56 minutes on the clock, the visitors' defence was stretched again by some simple passes and Veerman was able to larrup a left-foot strke beyond a helpless Ramsdale.
De Jong then made it 2-0 just seven minutes later as he rose highest to capitalise when England international Ramsdale missed the ball with a attempted punch.
Gakpo then thought he had finally got the goal his performance deserved but once again saw it disallowed for offside and despite a rally from the Gunners, the scoreline remained the same.
It rounded off an emotional night in Eindhoven with home supporters paying tribute to one of their own, called Mark, who passed away last night.
Fans applauded and fireworks were let off in the 25th minute to celebrate his life.
Topics