Arsenal’s brilliant run of form came to a crashing halt in a 2-0 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League – despite Mikel Arteta naming a strong squad for the Dutch clash.
The halftime introduction of former Newcastle and Barcelona striker Luuk de Jong turned the game, beating Rob Holding to set up Joey Veerman for the opener in the 55th minute before scoring himself eight minutes later.
Arteta had named a strong side in the hope of nabbing a point and guaranteeing first place in Group A – and therefore a place straight into March’s Round of 16. But their ball movement was sluggish and they failed to capitalise on their dominance of the ball.
And they were made to pay for their absence of clinical work in the final third as De Jong broke the game apart in the space of eight minutes. After teeing up Veerman’s first-time shot, De Jong headed home after Aaron Ramsdale failed to punch away a corner.
Watch the world’s best footballers every week with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. LIVE coverage from Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A, Carabao Cup, EFL & SPFL. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Arteta sent on some of his biggest names off the bench – Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey, then Gabriel Jesus – but PSV held on to book their place in the knockouts.
For Arsenal, they host minnows FC Zurich next week with victory locking in top spot – and avoiding a February playoff round.
Arteta would surely have wanted to play a second-string XI for that match, which comes three days before a trip to Chelsea, but now may have to change those plans.
RONALDO BACK IN THE GOALS
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo scored after returning for Manchester United in their 3-0 Europa League win over Sheriff.
Ronaldo was frustrated for large parts of the match as Sheriff held off their much bigger rivals with a stoic defensive performance, only to come undone just before halftime when Diogo Dalot headed home from a corner.
Substitute Marcus Rashford made it 2-0 in the 65th minute after fellow substitute Luke Shaw teed him up with a beautiful cross for a powerful header.
Ronaldo was a picture of annoyance after having a shot blocked from close range, shot wide in the second half from a strong opportunity, and had a goal ruled out for offside – leading to the Portuguese star picking up the ball out of the net and booting it into the crowd.
But he finally got on the scoresheet in the 81st minute when he pounced on the ball after Sheriff’s keeper blocked his header, thundering the follow-up home. It was his 701st club career goal
United is now seven games unbeaten in all competitions, their longest run this year.
The Red Devils have also booked their place in the knockout stages.
They travel to Real Sociedad next week, where a two-goal win will earn them top spot in the group over the Spanish side. The group winners go straight into the last 16, while runners-up play a side that dropped down from the Champions League.
OTHER RESULTS
Lazio 2-1 Midtjylland
FC Zurich 2-1 Bodo/Glimt
Ludogorets 0-1 Real Betis
Fenerbahce 3-3 Rennes
Malmo 0-2 Unions Saint-Gilloise
AEK Larnaca 3-3 Dynamo Kyiv
Union Berlin 1-0 Braga
