PSV Eindhoven beat Arsenal convincingly as Mikel Arteta’s men continue faltering performances in recent weeks.
The Leeds United game may have been a warning, and the Southampton draw convinced the watching crowd of the drop in intensity from Arsenal. Now, the loss to PSV Eindhoven more or less confirmed the Gunners are on a downward spiral.
Mikel Arteta will hope the end of their run of timid displays comes here to get the team back on track at the weekend. There are no excuses for their performance against PSV, as the hosts looked comfortable in victory. Arsenal never got going from the start and struggled to create decent chances.
Arteta may have set out to get a draw and top the group. While Arsenal started the game somewhat decently, PSV got going and created chances. Twice the home team were denied goals by VAR, but Ruud van Nistelrooy’s decision to introduce Luuk de Jong paid dividends.
The striker scored PSV’s second goal before Joey Veerman had opened the scoring. Arsenal struggled to increase the intensity in search of a goal, and Eddie Nketiah’s late chance was the first time they tested Daniel Benitez.
Arsenal in their last five games:
◎ Goals scored: 4
◎ xG: 6.4
◎ Chances created: 52
◎ Shots: 68Arsenal in their five games prior:
◉ Goals scored: 14
◉ xG: 12.72
◉ Chances created: 62
◉ Shots: 82🤔
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 27, 2022
Despite Arteta bringing in all his key attackers on the pitch, they could not open up PSV’s defence. Arsenal will return to London hoping to get their season back on track at the weekend against Nottingham Forest or risk squandering their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Aaron Ramsdale: 4.5/10
Ramsdale, making his European debut, will want to quickly forget this game. He was at fault for PSV’s second goal, as there were questions regarding his decision-making. He did look a bit nervy at times, but he also made a brilliant stop from close range to deny PSV a third.
Arsenal's nine-game unbeaten run comes to an end ❌ pic.twitter.com/jT5aDXF2Bn
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 27, 2022
Takehiro Tomiyasu: 5/10
In the final third, Tomiyasu did his job without much effect. He was beaten many times for pace on the wings, particularly by Cody Gakpo after the break.
William Saliba: 4/10
Saliba’s form continues to dive down in recent games and hit a new low against PSV. The defender was nowhere near his composed self and did not assert himself against the PSV attackers. Xavi Simons proved a difficult prospect for the Frenchman to handle, and Arteta will have to address the issue.
Rob Holding: 4/10
Despite a good outing last Thursday, Holding was complacent in this clash. In the second half, de Jong easily got the better of the defender, as the experienced centre-half put in a dismal display to cap off a terrible evening.
Kieran Tierney: 5/10
Tierney was decent in the first half but sloppy in the second. He did play a different role than usual, including sitting back to aid the build-up.
Albert Sambi Lokonga: 6/10
Arteta challenged Lokonga to show his class in the build-up to this game, and the manager may not be particularly impressed by what he saw. Lokonga was decent, but some areas of his defensive output may need polishing. Veerman also ran off the Belgian for the opener, which will be a strike against him.
Granit Xhaka: 5.5/10
It is rather difficult to explain why some of the players who are terrific on the ball were dismal in holding possession in this game and the last few. Xhaka was sloppy on the ball and found it tough to impact matters in the final third.
Martin Odegaard: 5/10
Odegaard was not feeling up to the task on Thursday and ended up having a minimal impact on proceedings in the final third. Arteta took him off to gain more control on the pitch.
Fabio Vieira: 6/10
A bit of positive performance from Vieira by what he tried to do in the attacking third. As the shape and style afforded him plenty of space, he tried a few interesting things.
Eddie Nketiah: 4/10
Nketiah’s confidence seems low at the moment. He has played extensively in the role, and there seems to be no repeat of what he used to do. His ball retention has been terrible recently, and the PSV defence had an easy time dealing with his movements.
Gabriel Martinelli: 4/10
1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ appearances for The Arsenal and counting.
🙌 @GabiMartinelli pic.twitter.com/YmtCandMUh
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 27, 2022
There may have been prior instructions not to exert himself too much. But when he had the ball, Martinelli was clueless in possession, and his play in the attacking third lacked the sharpness we have seen all season. Moreover, he squandered a great opportunity in the first half, which may have given Arsenal the lead.
SUBSTITUTES
Thomas Partey: 5/10
Partey made the Arsenal midfield a bit solid after coming on. While he could not influence the proceedings enough to score a goal, he did prevent one with a crucial intervention around the box.
Bukayo Saka: 4/10
Saka looked off pace when he came on and could barely influence the game.
Gabriel Jesus: 4/10
Jesus had a few half chances and lost balls, which did not help him break his goalless run.
Ben White: 5/10
Ben White immediately stabilised the backline, as Arteta did not want to concede any more goals when the team was looking to score at the other end.
Gabriel Magalhaes: 5/10
Gabriel helped shore up the defence after replacing the ineffective Rob Holding at the back.
