A much-changed and lacklustre Arsenal were held 1-1 at Dutch league leaders PSV Eindhoven Tuesday, a result that still sees the Gunners top Champions League Group B.
The pressure was off as both sides had already secured their ticket to the last 16 and Arsenal in particular appeared to lack a competitive bite at the Philips Stadion.
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It was the Dutch side which started the brighter, a smart move down the right slicing open the Gunners’ defence only for striker Ricardo Pepi to somehow contrive to miss from close range.
PSV created several first-half chances with slick interplay and Belgian international striker Yorbe Vertessen hit the post with a fine header that had Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale beaten.
Arsenal’s first meaningful chance came with nearly half an hour gone, a speculative shot from Egyptian international defender Mohamed Elneny fizzing just past the post.
But the London club took the lead just minutes before the break, as striker Eddie Nketiah was given too much space in the box and fired a low shot into the corner.
But PSV were back on level terms less than five minutes into the second half when another through-ball dissected the Arsenal midfield and Vertessen curled his shot expertly past Ramsdale.
The hosts continued to stroke the ball around with confidence and Ramsdale kept his side in the game with a fingertip save from Moroccan international Ismael Saibari.
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The Gunners were deprived of what would have been an undeserved win as Jakub Kiwior’s powerful header on 82 minutes was ruled out for offside.
And PSV squandered a gilt-edged chance to snatch it at the death, Guus Til dragging his shot wide after being put through for a one-on-one with the keeper.
In the other Group B fixture, Lens beat Sevilla 2-1 thanks to a goal from Angelo Fulgini in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time.
With Lens requiring just a draw to secure third place and a spot in the Europa League, the contest remained relatively quiet in the first half.
But it exploded to life in the second when Lens took the lead from the penalty spot via Przemyslaw Frankowski in the 63rd minute.
Sevilla would equalise via the same method just 16 minutes later as Sergio Ramos stepped up to score.
Yet there would be one final twist as Lens capitalised on Sevilla pouring numbers forward to produce a rapid counter attack, with Fulgini slotting home to secure the win.
FULL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS
RC Lens 2-1 Sevilla
PSV 1-1 Arsenal
Union Berlin v Real Madrid
RB Salzburg v Benfica
Napoli v Braga
Inter Milan v Real Sociedad
Copenhagen v Galatasaray
Manchester United v Bayern Munich
