faces a tricky trip to the Netherlands to face PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. The Gunners first visited the Philips Stadium in 2002, where they produced their stylish performance in the competition, and we take a look at the platoon that won 4-0 that night.
Arsenal will travel to Eindhoven to face PSV in this time’s Champions League last 16, where they will be looking to draw alleviation from the club’s emotional run in the competition.
On 25 September 2002, Arsene Wenger’s side arrived at the Philips Stadium and silenced the rumbustious home crowd within 20 seconds when Gilberto Silva converted Thierry Henry’s cross.
Freddie Ljungberg doubled the lead in the alternate half after breaking through PSV’s offside trap, before Henry’s stunning two pretensions gave the Gunners their biggest palm in the competition at that point.
The performance was representative of Arsenal‘s stylish attack under Wenger, who had lately won the domestic double and were unbeaten in a long run, although it was only their first palm in nine attempts in Europe, but they had achieved it in spectacular style.
Arsenal progressed from the group having finished bottom; PSV was excluded from the alternate group stage.
Still, the disappointment did not last long for the Dutch side, as they reached the semi-finals of the Champions League the following season, where their emotional run came to an end against AC Milan.
Before the two sides meet again, then is how they stood that day and what happened after.
