Arsenal made an impressive start to their European campaign

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 

ARSENAL 4 (Saka 8, Trossard 20, Jesus 38, Odegaard 70)
PSV EINDHOVEN 0

MIKEL Arteta praised his players as a “joy to watch” after a ruthless return to the Champions League boosted confidence sky-high ahead of the North London derby.

The Gunners – back in the big time after a seven season absence – had brutally exploited absurdly naive and gung-ho tactics from the Dutch league leaders.

Asked about the impact the four goal demolition could have on Sunday’s clash with Spurs, the manager said: “Winning always helps and the players have got such high energy and happiness from tonight. We have three days to prepare for what is a special game for Arsenal fans. And we are looking forward to it.”.

On the performance, he said: “It was a beautiful night. It was great to see the atmosphere and hear the music again. I was emotional because it was part of the journey that we started last year.

“To score four goals in the Champions League against a team that hasn’t lost a game yet, credit to the players.
“When you see this team running like that, it’s a joy to watch.”

Both Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had a goal and an assist in the first half after being gifted acres of space to work their magic on the wings.

Gabriel Jesus had time to control the ball in the box, set himself and rifle past the keeper for the third.

Captain Martin Odegaard smashed in a fourth after strong build-up play by popular sub Emile Smith Rowe.

There is a bubbling, feel good atmosphere at the Emirates right now with fans enjoying classy football and fight from a young team.

Despite the long wait to hear it, the North London Forever sing-a-long was far louder than the cheers for the famous Champions League theme tune.

David Raya, replacing Aaron Ramsdale, looked confident and composed in his second clean sheet out of two opening games.

Rather than the usual cagey ties of opening rounds in Champions League campaigns gone by, this game was open and action-packed, with both teams going full throttle.

The visitors had two old style wingers that raced at the Gunners backline doing step overs and cut back to try and shoot.

But neither had the calmness and precision of Trossard or Saka, who was left alone in the box to score the opener after a rebounded save from the keeper.

And it was no surprise when Trossard scored Arsenal’s second after a sweeping counter attack by Jesus and Saka.

Jesus got his goal after a brilliant long ball from Gabriel found Trossard just onside and with space to run into.

Kai Havertz had some confidence boosting touches and in the second half he unselfishly squared to Jesus, who would have got his second with a clever toe poke.

Arsenal will face a stiffer test from Spurs but go into the derby all guns blazing.

Arsenal: Raya, Saliba, White, Gabriel, Zinchenko (Tomiyasu 57), Rice (Jorginho 77), Havertz, Saka (Viera 72), Odegaard, Trossard (Nelson 68), Jesus (Smith-Rowe 68)

Subs not used: Ramsdale, Heln, Nketiah, Kiwior, Cedric, Elneny

PSV: Benitez, Teze, Bella-Kotchap (Ramalho 75), Lang (Vertessen 77), Dest, De Jong (Pepi 88), Babyako (Lozano 66), Boscali, Schouten, Vaerman, Salbari (Tillman 66)
Subs not used: Drommel, Waaterman, Sambo, Til, Babadi, Aanhot,