A much changed Arsenal were pegged back to draw 1-1 away at Dutch league leaders PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Tuesday as both sides concluded their Group B campaign, having already secured berths in the last-16.
Eddie Nketiah put Arsenal ahead three minutes before the break but the home side equalised five minutes into the second half through Yorbe Vertessen, who also struck the post in the first half.
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The Gunners, who had already secured first place in the group, finished with 13 points from their six matches with PSV on nine, ahead of third-placed RC Lens, who drop down to the Europa League.
Nketiah’s first Champions League goal was teed up by a square pass from Reiss Nelson, whose run down the right and interchange of passes with Cédric opened up the home defence.
Vertessen, who hit the upright with a 19th-minute header from Jordan Teze’s cross, also scored off the woodwork after his curling effort hit both posts before going in. The Belgian had made a strong run down the field before being picked out by Ricardo Pepi in a swift attacking move by the hosts.
PSV, who are runaway leaders in their domestic league after winning their first 15 games of the season, could have scored a second goal in the 66th minute but Ismael Saibari’s deflected effort hit the post and then a breakaway in the last minute saw substitute Guus Till hit his angled effort off target.
Arsenal had the ball in the home side’s net nine minutes from time but the headed effort from Jakub Kiwior was ruled offside. They might have snatched victory with the last kick of the game but PSV goalkeeper Walter Benítez made a flying stop to deny Leandro Trossard and Kiwior blasted the rebound well wide.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made eight changes from his side who were beaten at Aston Villa on Saturday and bumped off top place in the Premier League. They are the only side to have beaten PSV this season, with a 4-0 win in London in September in their opening group game.
