Ruthless Arsenal restore confidence with PSV win but Manchester United shown blueprint to avoid | OneFootball

Arsenal unlikely to enjoy same freedom when they travel to Old Trafford on Sunday

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If Ruben Amorim elected to spend his Tuesday night studying Arsenal, the Manchester United boss was at least given a blueprint on how not to set his team up this Sunday.

The Gunners will surely not enjoy the same level of freedom at Old Trafford this weekend.

Amorim, or anyone in fact, would be foolish to setup like PSV did and the fact they did their best to cram a season’s worth of defensive bloopers into one night only added to their downfall.

By the time Martin Odegaard had scored his second and Arsenal’s sixth, the Philips Stadion was basically empty. PSV head coach Peter Bosz simply sat on the bench shaking his head.

Arsenal have put the tie to bed before the second leg in north London

Peter Lous/PA Wire

Bosz had spent the previous day passionately defending his attacking approach, but Tuesday night showed why he is coming in for so much criticism.

PSV have now shipped 36 goals in 15 games since the turn of the year, keeping just one clean sheet.

In need of a lift, there really was no better team for Arsenal’s beleaguered attack to face right now.

Odegaard was the biggest beneficiary and, after a difficult season, this felt like a performance that should lift him for the run-in.

There was a hint of fortune about his two goals, with the first falling perfectly to him after PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez had failed to gather Nwaneri’s cross. Benitez helped Odegaard for his second too, palming a shot that was straight at him into the bottom corner.

Odegaard’s assist for Arsenal’s seventh goal was a moment of real quality, though, as the Norwegian picked out Riccardo Calafiori with a lovely pass played with the outside of his boot. It was the type of pass Arsenal have not seen enough of this season.

PSV left acres of space for Odegaard and it was in stark contrast to Arsenal’s previous match - a drab 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest.

Odegaard’s progressive carry distance - the distance he dribbled the ball towards the opponent’s goal - was 217 yards in this win over PSV. Against Forest, it was 136 yards.

Keeping Odegaard quiet, especially in the current climate with Arsenal’s injury issues, holds the key to stifling Arteta’s side.

Martin Odegaard took full advantage of the space on offer

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Forest, as other teams have done, showed the way to doing that is by sitting deep, not throwing caution to the wind like PSV did.

Arsenal deserve credit, though, for the way they put the Dutch side to the sword. Declan Rice was brilliant in midfield, bringing drive and dynamism.

It was his slick turn and cross that set up Jurrien Timber for the opener inside the first 20 minutes and, after that, Arsenal did not look back.

Nwaneri, who now has eight goals this season despite being only 17, and Mikel Merino made it 3-0 and only a Noa Lang penalty just before half time slightly slowed the wave of Arsenal attacks.

It was more of the same after the break, however, as Odegaard and Trossard struck in quick succession.

After failing to score in either of their previous two games, Arsenal ended up scoring seven in 67 minutes.

“It was a beautiful night,” said Arteta. “The players really made us enjoy the night. That’s the team that we want to see and they’re a phenomenal team.

“I’m especially happy for them because of recent results. This is the beauty of football, don’t talk too much, keep working, put your head down and things will happen.”

It would be wrong to say such a demolition has fixed the Gunners’ attack, but it will have undoubtedly given them a renewed confidence.

Presented with opportunities, they can be ruthless and that should stand them in good stead given the Champions League, and knockout football, is their best chance of a trophy this season.

Going all the way would be a tall order, however Arteta’s side have at least kept their season alive for another month.

A quarter-final showdown in Madrid with either Atletico or Real awaits.