A much changed Arsenal finished off their Champions League group campaign with a hard earned 1-1 draw against PSV.
Eddie Nketiah’s first half opener was cancelled out by a strike early in the second half from PSV’s Yorbe Vertessen, but the Gunners held on to draw, going through as group B winners.
Here are five things we learned from the game…
Nketiah no longer a super sub
Another day, another match in which Eddie Nketiah has rewarded Mikel Arteta’s faith in him. The 24-year-old fired Arsenal in front in the 42nd minute with a well taken left-footed finish. It was the Englishman’s sixth goal in five starts, a good goal return for a player who is usually second fiddle to Gabriel Jesus. The Hale End academy graduate is a very valuable part of this Arsenal squad, and his manager should not let him forget that.
Arsenal top the group
The Gunners were already ensured to top group B prior to this match, and still went in with a strong side despite this. Four wins, one lose and a draw tonight, with Mikel Arteta’s men finishing on 13 points from a possible 18. An acceptable return for an Arsenal side who were playing their first Champions League campaign in over six years. Topping the group potentially ensures a more favourable draw in the Round of 16, which is exactly what north Londoners will want.
Academy players don’t get chance to impress
Many thought with the match being irrelevant to Arsenal’s finishing position in group B, then a couple of the much hyped youngsters in the Hale End academy would feature. Reuell Walters, Lino Sousa and Ethan Nwaneri all travelled with the squad to Eindhoven, with Mikel Arteta speaking highly of the three. Sadly for the trio, with the match tightly contested at 1-1, Arteta chose to throw on his senior players to try and get the job done. Their times will come, but it felt as if this was the perfect opportunity to do it.
Big players called upon as squad rotation almost backfires
Once Eddie Nketiah fired Arsenal in front 43 minutes, it was all looking good for the Gunners after making eight changes from the weekend. However, when Joey Veerman scored to level proceedings, Mikel Arteta went hard on his substitutes. Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Ben White all entered the field, in what could have been viewed as risky from Arteta given he brought three academy players with the team in what is a dead rubber fixture. The match ended as a draw, with no injuries to starters.
Smith Rowe return a boost for the Gunners
As the clock hit 87 minutes, a huge cheer from the away side as Emile Smith Rowe entered the pitch after his injury troubles. The midfielder returned to the field following 5 weeks away with a knee injury, which in turn derailed his return from his previous injury issues. The 23-year-old’s comeback will be a welcome boost for Mikel Arteta, as he continues to welcome back more of his squad from injury. With the festive period getting even busier, Smith Rowe will be looking to play a crucial part in Arsenal’s title charge.
