Arsenal set up a Champions League quarter-final showdown with either Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid as a 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates Stadium sealed a 9-3 aggregate win.
Mikel Arteta took the chance to rotate following last week’s 7-1 first-leg win, naming a much-changed side which included Kieran Tierney on the left wing and Oleksandr Zinchenko in midfield.
Raheem Sterling was also handed a rare start and set up both Arsenal goals in an eye-catching display, first turning the ball around the corner for Zinchenko, who finished superbly from outside the box for the early opener, then producing a pinpoint cross for Declan Rice to head home their second.
Twice, though, the Gunners were pegged back. Zinchenko’s opening goal was cancelled out by former Tottenham player Ivan Perisic, who finished coolly when put through in the first half, with Couhaib Driouech levelling again when he lifted a fine finish over David Raya in the second period.
Arsenal had other chances, two of which fell to Sterling, who was denied by PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez when one-on-one on two separate occasions, and the winger suffered further frustration when he was shown a late yellow card which means he will be suspended for the quarter-final first leg.
Arsenal now wait to learn the outcome of the last-16 second leg clash between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid to find out the identity of their quarter-final opponent.
More to follow.
