An excellent Luuk de Jong knocked Arsenal out

Arsenal, leader of the Premier, lost on Thursday in the Europa League group stage in Eindhoven against a PSV who, led by ex-Barcelona player Luuk de Jong in the second half, won the ‘gunners’ 2-0 with goals from Joey Veerman, Luuk de Jong himself (in this case after a serious mistake by Aaron Ramsdale, goalkeeper for Mikel Arteta’s team.

The first half was flat for both teams, especially Arsenal. In PSV’s case they disallowed a goal by ex-blaugrana Xavi Simons (author of 8 ‘goals’ in the Eredivisie, one less than the ‘scorer’, his teammate Cody Gakpo, 9) in the 42nd minute. The loan forward pointed very well but the referee invalidated the goal for offside.

after a break Luuk de Jong came in and PSV were a storm. Veerman set up the Dutch forward assisted by the former Barcelona player in the 55th minute. And just 8 minutes later, in the 63rd minute, the second came, by Luuk de Jong himself, with a header, including a Ramsdale error.

There is a third ‘target’, in this case by Gakpo, but it was also annulled for offside. From then on, Arsenal tried to react, but PSV knew how to defend their advantage brilliantly.

Jarrad Branthwaite prevented Arteta’s men from closing the gap. PSV goalkeeper Walter Benítez saved a shot by Nketiah and the centre-back dived to prevent either Nketiah himself or Gabriel Jesus from scoring in an empty net in the 77th minute.

Granit Xhaka, visibly nervous, picked up Xavi Simons, who bent down, to get down the band and face the two of them. There was a yellow card for both.

Despite these defeats, Arsenal will top the group if they beat Zurich on the final day. PSV made it to the next round thanks to this victory. The Swiss team beat Bodo/Glimt 2-1.