Arsenal's Triumphant Champions League Return
The Emirates Stadium Comes Alive as Arsenal Makes Triumphant Return
The excitement was so high at Arsenal over their first Champions League appearance in six years that they printed the lyrics to the competition's anthem in the matchday programme. Not many sang along to "Zadok The Priest" when the time came, but there was an audible cheer as the opening bars rang out across a rain-sodden Emirates Stadium, a cathartic release of the pain suffered through their prolonged absence from Europe's premier club stage.
Making a Statement: Arsenal's Dominant 4-0 Win over PSV Eindhoven
The Gunners were determined to seize their moment back in the big time, and they did not disappoint, cruising to a 4-0 win over PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday achieved through an authority typically associated with seasoned Champions League campaigners. None of the starting lineup for their previous outing -- a 5-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich in March 2017 -- are still at the club, though.
In fact, there is only one surviving member of the squad -- midfielder Mohamed Elneny -- from that night, and with a Champions League rookie manager in Mikel Arteta, the home side could have been forgiven if they approached this vaunted occasion with a little hesitancy. None was on show despite the adrenaline coursing through their veins.
Mikel Arteta's Emotional Journey
"It was great to see the atmosphere and the Champions League music," Arteta said in his post-match news conference. "Everyone was getting a bit emotional before it. I was [emotional], yeah. I was really excited about it. I wanted to control and not show that too much, but I was really excited.
"The journey started last year when we earned the right to be in this competition, which is where we have to be as a club. Now we have to produce what we have to produce to stay at this level.
"I think we rode that energy and emotion in the right way. Talking about the enjoyment. Obviously we have to compete at this level, but you have to enjoy [these moments] because I think at the end that's what is going to be a memory."
Ruthless Efficiency in Front of Goal
Although it has to be said that PSV's defending was distinctly Europa League, Arsenal showed the sort of ruthless efficiency in front of goal that Arteta has bemoaned in the club's Premier League campaign to date.
