Mikel Arteta praised his Arsenal squad for a “remarkable evening” as they delivered a 7-1 victory over PSV marking their largest ever away Champions League win.
Captain Martin Odegaard was in outstanding form, netting twice, while Riccardo Calafiori, a late substitute, sealed the rout with Arsenal’s seventh goal, surpassing the club’s previous record 5-1 triumph at Inter Milan’s San Siro in 2003.
This resounding victory virtually guarantees Arteta’s team a spot in the quarter-finals for the second consecutive year. Having struggled with finishing in recent matches, Arsenal’s performance in front of goal was a welcome sight, and Arteta is hoping this will spark further momentum as they prepare for a crucial clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
“Thank you, because it was a special night,” Arteta expressed after the match. “It’s given us immense joy, confidence, and belief. In football, it’s never about what we did yesterday or today—it’s all about what we do next.
“We’re heading to Old Trafford, and it’s all about how we approach that game, how we perform, and whether we can secure a win. That’s the focus. Let’s relish tonight—it was a fantastic performance and an incredible result. We’ve earned it, and now we’ll keep striving to improve as a team.”
Regarding the record, he added: “It’s something unique, and it’s fantastic to be a part of it. But as a team, we’re aiming for much bigger goals that hold more significance than this. What makes me happiest is that we’re in an excellent position to progress to the next round, which is where we want to be.”
Ethan Nwaneri became the third-youngest scorer in Champions League knockout history with Arsenal’s second goal and is now just one away from matching Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen’s record as 17-year-olds scoring before their 18th birthday on March 21. “I don’t think he needs any extra motivation,” Arteta commented.
“You can see from the way he approaches goal-scoring situations what his intent is. If it happens, it happens, and it’s fantastic. I’m really impressed with how he handled himself and performed tonight. The key now is consistency—doing it again in just a few days in another big stadium.”
