It was on 89 minutes when a window into Mikel Arteta’s psyche latched open.
The score was level, the match’s result having no consequence with both Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven already qualified for the Champions League last-16, the Gunners guaranteed top spot.
Three teenagers, Ethan Nwaneri, Reuell Walters and Lino Sousa, were on the bench, with what is almost certainly their only chance to appear for the first-team in Europe this season. The stuff of dreams for a kid.
Yet, Arteta hauled on Gabriel Jesus and Emile Smith Rowe for Reiss Nelson and Kai Havertz. Talk about ruthlessness — and a desire to win any game, no matter what.
It begged the question — if the young guns don’t play now, when will they?
Eddie Nketiah bagged his first Champions League goal to put Arsenal ahead before the break
Yorbe Vertessen restored parity early in the second half as PSV flexed their attacking muscles
It was the Hale End academy graduates rather than apprentices who starred, Reiss Nelson teeing up Eddie Nketiah for the Gunners’ sole goal.
Yet, the backline was leaky and, on another night, PSV’s goal margin would have been wider.
The home side struck the goalframe three separate times — Yorbe Vertassen’s shot going in — as they pressed on for more in-front of an expectant crowd.
Of course, that lack of cohesion was influenced by the eight changes made to the side beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa.
In the games coming up, though, the defence will need to be tighter.
Yohan Bakayoko was a constant thorn in Arsenal’s side, wreaking havoc down the right flank
Reiss Nelson turned in an impressive performance and assisted Nketiah for his opening goal
Mikel Arteta said before the match, ‘It’s never a free hit in football’. Case in point, after 62 minutes he made three substitutions, including bringing in Declan Rice at centre back for Jakub Kiwior.
Aside from the woodwork, it was Nelson who starred, shimmying from left to right with an occasional stepover throw in for good measure, too.
Much of the Gunners’s best work forward stemmed from his left wing, the opposing backline stuck as to whether to stay tight on him or allow the player to drift wide.
No matter how strong his performance, and it was excellent, Nelson will know the challenge he faces to even appear off the bench in the forthcoming matches is stark. All he can do is step up when called upon, and he did just that.
PSV’s Johan Bakayoko beat Jakub Kiwior on the overlap after seven minutes, Patrick van Aanholt receiving his cross. He had a shot blocked by a William Saliba sliding tackle before standing on Aaron Ramsdale’s ankle.
Could Mikel Arteta have brought on a youngster such as Ethan Nwaneri for experience?
Aaron Ramsdale was kept busy on his Champions League debut as he replaced David Raya
Gabriel then deflected Ricardo Pepi’s strike over, but it was the action prior which left a mark. Ramsdale was left on the floor minutes later, clutching above his ankle as the medical staff attended to him.
His eyes darted towards the touchline, David Raya having begun a warm-up. A cue for Ramsdale to brush himself down and continue.
Vertessen’s header struck a post after 19 minutes. Mohamed Elneny shimmied past two players, hitting a post with his shot soon after before the Gunners got one before the break. Eddie Nketiah’s strike went through Andre Ramalho’s legs and in the net.
Vertassen hit the post once again, after 50 minutes, but this time the ball fell into the goal. Ricardo Pepi had a shot, you guessed it, strike the woodwork, too, but in the end, the spoils were shared.
