
Mikel Arteta hails ‘beautiful night’ as Arsenal star on Champions League return
Mikel Arteta admitted to becoming emotional on a “beautiful night” as Arsenal marked their long-awaited Champions League return with a stylish 4-0 win against PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates Stadium. In their first outing in this competition for six years, Arteta’s side put PSV to the sword in the first half, going in at the break 3-0 up after a ruthless show of attacking intent. First Bukayo Saka reacted fastest to score on the rebound after Martin Odegaard’s long-range effort was parried by Walter Benitez in the PSV goal, before the England winger turned provider with a smart pull-back that was guided into the bottom corner by Leandro Trossard. After 38 minutes the game was all but over as Gabriel Jesus took a touch inside the box and drilled an unstoppable drive into the far corner. Odegaard added his team’s fourth when he shot low with his left foot past the goalkeeper with 20 minutes to play, as last season’s Eredivisie runners-up were outrun and outclassed by Arteta’s side, who were at their electric best in wet and difficult conditions in north London. “It was a beautiful night after such a long time,” said Arteta. “We wanted to produce the right performance to win the game. It was great to see the atmosphere and the Champions League music. “Everyone was getting a bit emotional before it. We showed in both boxes today I think we were exceptional. That was the difference today, I think. “I was (emotional), yeah. I was really excited about it. I wanted to control and not show that too much, but I was really excited. “The journey started last year when we earned the right to be in this competition which is where we have to be as a club. Now we have to produce what we have to produce to stay at this level.” After watching his side struggle at times to break down opponents who have set up defensively against them in the Premier League this season, Arteta was particularly pleased with the way his attack effectively killed the contest off before the break, taking advantage of a more open game than they have been used to domestically. “(It was) very good,” he said. “That’s what we have to do. That’s why I mentioned that in the box we were exceptional today, we were ruthless, we took our chances. (It) was top. And as well we could have done more. Probably as managers we are looking a bit more on that than any part.” Amongst an array of standout performances for Arteta’s team, Kai Havertz enjoyed possibly the best display of his early Arsenal career. There had been signs of frustration from home supporters towards the £65million summer signing during recent games at the Emirates, but he was instrumental in the team’s fluent attacking rhythm as he finally looked at home in an Arsenal shirt. “Yeah, he was really connected today in the game,” said Arteta. “It’s true I asked him to play two different roles in regards to the behaviours of the opponents and he’s so intelligent that he does it. It’s just finishing one or two actions that we had but it’s coming and he’s so willing to do it.”
2023-09-21 06:45

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Bayern beat Man Utd as Real Madrid, Arsenal win in Champions League
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Bayern Munich vs Manchester United player ratings: Kane scores and Musiala shines after Onana howler
Manchester United were made to suffer in Germany after a promising start to their Champions League opener against Bayern Munich. Christian Eriksen should have opened the scoring inside the first five minutes only to be denied by a sharp save from Sven Ulreich. United were quick to transition the ball up the pitch and looked comfortable in the game until a howler from Andre Onana gave the hosts the opening goal. Leroy Sane added a second before the break following a wonderful solo run from Jamal Musiala who took the ball through midfield before pulling it back to Sane for the finish. Rasmus Hojlund netted his first goal for United to give them hope of a comeback after the break but Harry Kane restored the host’s cushion with a beautifully taken penalty. The goals kept on coming with three being scored late. Casemiro bagged a brace either side of a Mathys Tel rocket but United couldn’t get the win. Here’s how all the players rated at the Allianz Arena: Bayern Munich Sven Ulreich - 6. Denied Christian Eriksen an opening goal in the fourth minute after his defenders lost the ball deep in their own half and kept out a wild shot from Marcus Rashford. Could do nothing about Rasmus Hojlund’s or Casemiro’s goals and unfortunate to conced three. Konrad Laimer - 6. Thought primarily about getting forward on the wing and linked up nicely with Leroy Sane to exploit the spaces in behind Sergio Reguilon. Dayot Upamecano - 7. Stayed switched on to cover Laimer’s forward runs, handled Rashford and Hojlund with composure and poise until United’s first goal. Minjae Kim - 6. A top partner for Upamecano against a United attack that lacked persistent bite. Drove the ball up the pitch a couple of times but went to sleep late in the game with the match won. Alphonso Davies - 7. Stuck a foot on the ball first when tackling Facundo Pellestri, stopping the Uruguayan youngster from scoring a simple tap-in early in the match. Joshua Kimmich - 6. Was a valuable link between defence and attack providing pressure high up the pitch towards the end of the game. Leon Goretzka - 6. Commanding in midfield though wasn’t put under enough pressure from United’s attacking personnel. Took umbrage with a tackle on Kane from Lisandro Martinez and got booked. Leroy Sane - 9. His movement off the ball caused real problems and he was Bayern’s biggest threat. Scored the opening goal and curled one past the post in the first half before hitting the post in the second. Jamal Musiala - 8. Developing a solid relationship with Harry Kane making several forward runs when the England captain dropped back. A wonderful solo run and cutback set up Bayern’s second goal. Serge Gnabry - 7. Drifted into space inside the box and slotted a clinical finish past Andre Onana to double his team’s lead in the first half. Harry Kane - 8. Went through several spells without touching the ball but proved his quality by setting up the first goal thanks to some top quality hold up play and slotted home a perfect penalty when called on. Subs: Kingsley Coman - 6, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting - 7, Mathys Tel - 8, Thomas Muller - n/a Manchester United Andre Onana – 5. Picked out a few good passes and made some nice saves but all that is overshadowed by a howler that allowed Sane’s shot to sneak under him and give Bayern the lead. Diogo Dalot – 6. Out-paced and out-classed by Musiala in the build-up to the second goal. Seemed to suffer from a lack of confidence like most of United’s defence but was willing to put his body on the line. Victor Lindelof - 6. Dealt well with the aerial balls into the box but got caught a couple of times out of position and didn’t have the legs to recover properly. Lisandro Martinez - 6. Grew frustrated as the night went on before getting into a scrap with Leon Goretzka and earning an unnecessary yellow card. Sergio Reguilon - 7. Wasn’t afraid to make sharp forward runs trying to force United into the final third whilst also relishing the battle against Sane. Looks to be settling into his role at left-back. Casemiro - 8. The more defensive of United’s two holding midfielders, sat deep to keep the shape compact and provide cover for the back line but played a couple of wonderful passes over the top for Bruno Fernandes before scoring two late goals with his first real forays up the pitch. Christian Eriksen - 5. Latched onto a loose ball early in the game but drilled a shot straight at the goalkeeper when he should have scored. Harshly judged to have handled the ball inside the box leading to the penalty. Facundo Pellestri - 5. Failed to toe United ahead early in the game and was denied any better chances for the rest of the match. Bruno Fernandes - 7. Was the playmaker for most of United’s attacks and led the press well off the ball. Misplaced a couple of difficult passes but was always looking to get the ball into the box even with his team chasing the game. Assisted Casemiro for the third goal. Marcus Rashford - 6. Pacey down the line, getting the better of Laimer on a few occasions. Set up Hojlund’s goal with a deft touch inside the penalty area but needs to be more creative in the wide areas. Rasmus Hojlund - 7. Made an impact at the top of the pitch with a well taken goal in the second half. His first for the club and signs are there that he’ll get plenty more. Subs: Scott McTominay 6, Anthony Martial - n/a, Alejandro Garnacho - n/a Read More Bizarre clash with Bayern ends in predictable outcome for Manchester United Arsenal are back in the Champions League — and they look like contenders too Bizarre clash with Bayern ends in predictable outcome for Manchester United Tottenham have Harry Kane ‘buy-back clause’ as Daniel Levy reveals option Erik ten Hag concerned by Manchester United’s mounting injury problems
2023-09-21 05:51