Arsenal's Return to the Champions League Shows They're in Their Element

Arsenal's long-awaited return to the UEFA Champions League after a six-year hiatus was met with palpable excitement and anticipation. The proof of their enthusiasm was evident even in the matchday program, where the lyrics to the Champions League anthem, "Zadok The Priest," were printed. While not everyone in the stadium joined in singing, the opening bars of the anthem evoked an audible cheer from the rain-soaked Emirates Stadium. It was a cathartic release of emotions for the Arsenal faithful, who had endured the agony of their prolonged absence from Europe's premier club stage.

The Gunners were determined to make the most of their moment back in the big time, and they did not disappoint. They dominated their opponent, PSV Eindhoven, with an authority typically associated with seasoned Champions League campaigners. What made this achievement even more remarkable was the fact that none of the players who started their previous Champions League outing – a painful 5-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich in March 2017 – remained at the club. The sole survivor from that night was midfielder Mohamed Elneny. Additionally, their manager, Mikel Arteta, was a rookie in the Champions League arena. Despite these challenges, there was no sign of hesitancy from the home side as they embraced the occasion with unwavering determination.

In his post-match news conference, Arteta expressed his delight at the atmosphere and the Champions League music. While it must be acknowledged that PSV's defending left much to be desired, Arsenal showcased a level of ruthless efficiency in front of goal that had been lacking in their Premier League campaign. Arteta had often lamented their inability to convert dominance into goals in domestic matches. However, on this Champions League night, they raced to a 3-0 lead within just 38 minutes, with Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Jesus all finding the net with clinical finishes. PSV had no answer to Arsenal's firepower, allowing Arteta to make several second-half changes with an eye on the upcoming North London derby. Martin Ødegaard added a fourth goal, showcasing his trademark style by drilling a shot from the edge of the box.

Comparing this performance to their encounters with PSV in the Europa League group stage the previous season reveals the extent of Arsenal's evolution. While they narrowly won and lost to PSV last year, Arsenal's significant investments in players like Trossard, Declan Rice, and Kai Havertz paid off in this statement win. It provided a solid foundation from which they could launch their Group B challenge.

One noteworthy development was the consecutive starts for goalkeeper David Raya, raising questions about Aaron Ramsdale's role. Raya's ability with his feet, which was a key factor in his acquisition from Brentford, was evident from the start. His contribution, with 58 touches, exceeded that of midfielder Havertz, who played the entire 90 minutes.

Arteta's tactics, including playing "You'll Never Walk Alone" during training to prepare for Anfield, had been subject to some gentle mockery. However, the preparation seemed to have paid off as Arsenal looked like they belonged on this Champions League night. The anticipation and excitement had transformed into a resounding victory, and Arsenal had announced their return to the grandest stage in European club football in emphatic fashion.