Dominant Arsenal win will cause 'ripple' across Champions League as Gunners make 'formidable opponent' - Martin Keown
Published 13/03/2025 at 00:09 GMT
Arsenal cruised into the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with a mighty 9-3 aggregate win over PSV in the last 16. A 7-1 win in the first leg did plenty of heavy lifting in the tie, but Arsenal made several changes and clinched a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture at the Emirates to sail past the Dutch side. It is a statement victory that Martin Keown believes will "ripple through Europe".
Highlights: Zinchenko strikes as draw sends Arsenal into quarters
Video credit: TNT Sports
TNT Sports' Martin Keown has said that Arsenal's dominant 9-3 aggregate win over PSV will cause a "ripple" across the UEFA Champions League and invoke respect for the team.
Mikel Arteta's side have stuttered recently, losing to West Ham and drawing with Manchester United and Nottingham Forrest, but a forceful 7-1 win over PSV in the first leg restored their credibility as Champions League contenders.
"I think to win as they did, 7-1, 9-3 overall, and emphatic the way that they've done that, that will ripple across Europe," Keown said.
"Arsenal make for quite a formidable opponent. They will be respected.
"And one by one these players start coming back, apparently [Bukayo] Saka is quite close so that will be a big decision. [Gabriel] Martinelli available. So things start to turn around.
"These are big nights and the players will really be up for that next round."
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Zinchenko fizzes home brilliant opener against former club PSV
Video credit: TNT Sports
Joe Cole echoed Keown's claim, adding that Arsenal have the ability to beat any side over two legs.
"This club can beat anyone over two legs. There's a lot of holes in their squad at the moment, they haven't got a recognised striker, a lot of injuries.
"But sometimes that can galvanize you, sometimes it all clicks. There will be a moment where they go, 'right lads, we've got an opportunity here'."
'HE CAN DO EVERYTHING' - COLE HAILS RICE
The TNT Sports duo also praised Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice after scoring Arsenal's second goal of the night, and ninth of the tie overall.
His header came at the end of yet another clever run into the box from midfield.
"I've been so impressed with Declan Rice," Cole said. "I think in that holding position, he's as good as anyone in world football. But he's got more strings to his bow.
"Particularly in this period for Arsenal where they're going to need to run forward and score goals, he's delivering. When they need him to be the anchor and block up opposition attacks he can do that, he can do everything."
Keown added: "I keep thinking of when we get to the end picture, because we're not there yet with Arsenal, which position will he be in? I think eventually it'll be two players that share that. Because he wants to get forward, he's got an incredible engine to do that. He can finish but he can also get back.
"I think the goal Arsenal conceded sort of shows that. Jorginho gets caught in a situation that you know Declan Rice would have dealt with that no problem at all.
"It's difficult because it's a bit ragged, it's a different back four and they've got undone there."
The former Arsenal man also gave Raheem Sterling his due for his involvement in The Gunners' attack.
"Sterling was another that we were anxious to see. I thought Sterling's involvement for the goal was probably the best bit of football we've seen from him since he's been at Arsenal.
"We're now at the latter stages of the season so it's a long time coming."
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