full screen Yorbe Vertessen equalizes for PSV at home against Arsenal. Photo: Patrick Post/AP/TT
Arsenal had the opportunity to take the fifth victory of the autumn and touch the club record for games won in the Champions League group stage.
But PSV Eindhoven wanted differently.
The evening’s insignificant match ended 1–1.
Arsenal traveled to Eindhoven as clear group winners. Manager Mikel Arteta was no more stupid than he took the opportunity to rotate the team properly given the busy schedule the club has around Christmas and New Year.
PSV also matched players outside the regular eleven, clear second in the group as they were already before kick-off.
The fairly sleepy first half perked up with a few minutes left until the break.
Reiss Nelson and Cedric Soares combined skillfully on the right wing. Nelson played in for Eddie Nketiah, whose low shot near the post rewarded the Premier League club.
Yorbe Vertessen equalized at the beginning of the second half. PSV then hit the post and Arsenal had a goal ruled out for offside.
More was at stake in the meeting between Lens and Sevilla. Przemyslaw Frankowski gave Lens the lead midway through the second half but veteran Sergio Ramos equalized from the penalty spot.
Sevilla had needed a winning goal to reach third place in the group and play in the Europa League in February.
Instead, Angelo Fulgini sent in 2–1 for Lens in the sixth extra minute.
FACT
They are further from the group stage
The clubs that are ready for the round of 16: Bayern Munich, Inter, Leipzig, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Barcelona, Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven and Lazio.
The clubs that are ready for the Europa League Round of 16: Feyenoord, Young Boys, Lens.
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2023-12-12 20:02:00
#Playoffready #Arsenal #PSV #rested #players
