Arsenal's carnival of goals

Arteta's men set a Champions League record on way to a 7-1 win at PSV in the first leg of the last-16 stage

- Dhiman Sarkar

Struggling for goals, Arsenal found seven on Tuesday to register a Champions League record. Sterner tests await but if Arsenal had gone to PSV Eindhoven looking beleaguered, they left radiating brilliance.

Never before have Mikel Arteta's Arsenal scored so many on his watch. Never before have any team done that in a Champions League away knockout tie. Eindhoven was hosting a carnival and Arsenal lived it up at the rectangular Philips Stadion with a 7-1 win in the first leg of this round of 16 tie.

Three goals came in 13 first-half minutes from Jurrien Timber, Ethan Nwaneri and Mikel Merino. Arsenal began the second with two within 99 seconds of each other through Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard. Odegaard scored again before providing the assist for Riccardo Calafiori. This was up there with the best of Champions League goalfests. And, mind you, this was with a makeshift attacking line.

So, get well soon, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus but till you do, the Gunners have finally shown they can cope. With Trossard and Nwaneri on either side of Merino.