Arsenal sat themselves back at the top table and, long before the end, could recline in comfort. It will not always be this easy for Mikel Arteta’s players if, as should be expected of all the Premier League’s resource-rich representatives, they travel far in this season’s competition but a slick and clinical outing bodes well for now. They were hardly troubled by a PSV Eindhoven side that laudably came to play but had no answer whatsoever to the hosts’ speed and intent. If this is the standard of opposition in Group B it would be a surprise if qualification was not settled well before the final match.
Goals from Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus ended proceedings as a contest before half-time but it will encourage Arteta that, while the second period was barren for long periods, Arsenal’s focus never wavered. They deserved the cherry on top that the outstanding Martin Ødegaard drilled into the far corner with 20 minutes left and dispelled any concerns that a lengthy absence from this level might beget stage fright.
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