Arsenal took a huge step towards the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals after an emphatic 7-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie at the Philips Stadion on Tuesday night.
The Gunners raced into a commanding lead with first-half goals from Jurrien Timber, Ethan Nwaneri and Mikel Merino before Noa Lang pulled one back for the Dutch side from the penalty spot.
Mikel Arteta’s men showed no mercy after the break, adding four more goals through Martin Odegaard, who struck twice, Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori to complete a dominant performance away from home.
The result leaves Arsenal firmly in control ahead of next week’s return leg at the Emirates Stadium.
At the Santiago Bernabéu, holders Real Madrid claimed a narrow 2-1 victory over city rivals Atletico Madrid.
Rodrygo opened the scoring just four minutes into the contest before Julian Alvarez produced a superb finish to level matters for Atletico midway through the first half.
Brahim Diaz restored Real Madrid’s advantage 10 minutes into the second half, giving Carlo Ancelotti’s side a slender lead to defend in the second leg.
Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund and Lille played out a 1-1 draw in Germany.
Karim Adeyemi fired Dortmund ahead in the 22nd minute, but Hakon Haraldsson equalised after the interval to leave the tie evenly balanced heading into the return leg in France.
