Raheem Sterling excellent, Mikel Merino poor: Arsenal player ratings vs PSV
Arsenal confirmed their place in the Champions League quarter finals on Wednesday night (12 March) after completing their aggregate victory over PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta‘s side went into the game well in control of the tie, after Arsenal had thrashed PSV 7-1 in the first leg in the Netherlands the previous week.
They were however in no mood to ease up from the start here, with Oleksandr Zinchenko curling in a brilliant long-range strike to give the Gunners the lead after just five minutes.
PSV though would hit back to give their fans something to cheer about when Ivan Perisic fired into the top corner after a loose ball forward from David Raya.
With the tie already secured though, Arsenal went back in front on the night when Declan Rice headed home a cross from Raheem Sterling after a good run from the Chelsea loanee.
Even so, PSV would equalise again after half time, when Couhaib Driouech produced a stunning lob over Raya after the hosts conceded possession in midfield.
That was enough to ensure things ended all square on the night, with Arteta’s side comfortably securing their place in the last eight on aggregate.
| Arsenal last five games | Result |
| West Ham (H) | Lost 1-0 |
| Nottingham Forest (A) | Drew 0-0 |
| PSV Eindhoven (A) | Won 7-1 |
| Man United (A) | Drew 1-1 |
| PSV Eindhoven (H) | Drew 2-2 (won 9-3 on aggregate) |
Here is how Football Insider rated the performance of the Arsenal squad during that clash with the Dutch giants.
David Raya – 6
A loose long ball forward gifted PSV possession for their first equaliser, but the Spaniard also made some very good saves here.
Ben White – (off for Timber, ’79) – 5
Back in the starting XI after a long absence through injury, with the need to get back up to speed showing at times.
Jakub Kiwior – 5
A reasonably unspectacular performance on a rare start for the Pole, but his pass did put Jorginho in trouble for the second PSV goal.
Gabriel – 7
Marshalled the defence well, and produced one outstanding challenge to prevent Driouech from surely scoring in the first half.
Myles Lewis-Skelly gets some redemption
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7
Lewis-Skelly was lucky not to be sent off in the first leg, leading to his substitution after just half an hour in that match, but was much more solid and steady here with an impressive performance.
Declan Rice (off for Calafiori, ’64) -7
Arsenal fans slammed Rice after the draw with Man United at the weekend for his celebration, so he will have enjoyed getting on the scoresheet again here, and his presence was missed in midfield after he went off.
Jorginho – 6
A pretty steady performance from the Italian, although he was robbed of possession for the PSV goal, albeit having not entirely been helped by the pass from Kiwior.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – (off for Odegaard, ’79) – 7
The left-back produced a brilliant strike to open the scoring, and slotted really well into a more advanced role in the midfield.
Raheem Sterling shows Arsenal what they want from him
Raheem Sterling – 8 – Player of the Match
Sterling will not have enjoyed his loan spell at Arsenal so far, so a performance like this where he was involved in so much of what Arsenal did well going forward, not least with that assist for Rice should do him the world of good, though a late yellow will keep him out of the first leg of the quarter final.
Mikel Merino – (off for Trossard, ’64) – 4
In fairness centre-forward is not his natural role, but he has shown he can produce so much more leading the line than he did here.
Kieran Tierney – (off for Martinelli, ’79) – 6
Another left-back played further forward, the Scot produced a decent wide performance, without the same impact as Sterling on the opposite side.
Substitutes
Ricardo Calafiori (on for Rice, ’64) – 5
Arsenal didn’t have the same control in midfield when he replaced Rice, but in fairness he was another being played out of position.
Leandro Trossard (on for Merino, ’64) – 5
Didn’t make much of an impression after coming on and moving out to the right.
Jurrien Timber (on for White, ’79) – 7
Looked sharp and keen to get involved after his later introduction.
Gabriel Martinelli (on for Tierney, ’79) – 7
Some much-needed minutes after his injury lay-off, and showed some signs of promise on his return to action.
Martin Odegaard (on for Zinchenko, ’79) – 6
On to help see things out in midfield for the final minutes.