It was the last night of carnival here in Eindhoven where the locals traditionally go a bit wilder and crazier than usual and celebrate into the wee small hours. But after the match it was we Arsenal fans who had the real reason to be dancing in the streets.
It was a night I will not forget for a very, very long time.
And neither will the other gaygooners who made the journey.
Arsenal completely thrashed PSV Eindhoven, securing a commanding lead in our Champions League last-16 tie.
The Gunners scored three goals in the first half and four in the second, now almost certain to reach the quarter-finals with a trip to Madrid.
Ismael Saibari hit the crossbar early, but Arsenal took control after Jurrien Timber scored their opener in the 18th minute. Ethan Nwaneri doubled the lead three minutes later, scoring past Walter Benitez after Myles Lewis-Skelly cleverly cut the ball back.
We went wild in the stands.
That man Lewis-Skelly was soon booked, but stayed on the pitch after fouling Ledezma, so Mikel Arteta wisely replaced him with Riccardo Calafiori with 10 minutes left.
Mikel Merino added a third after a defensive mix-up, but Noa Lang pulled one back from the penalty spot for PSV after Thomas Partey fouled Luuk De Jong.
Arsenal continued to attack in the second half, and Martin Odegaard scored from close range after Benitez pushed a cross out.
Substitute Calafiori combined well with Leandro Trossard, who chipped the ball over Benitez from close range to score Arsenal’s fifth just one minute later.
We were scoring for fun now.
The only thing to watch out for was the stupidly steep concrete staircase in the Philips stadium that by now was covered in beer! Oppsy!
Odegaard scored his second goal with a brilliant individual effort before Calafiori scored late, securing Arsenal’s record away win in the Champions League.
In the new format, Arsenal can plan their route through the competition. Despite having next week’s second leg still to play, they look set to face either Real Madrid or Atletico in April.
What a team! What a match! What a night!
Onwards and upwards, my friends.
@Arsenal
@Regenersaurus
#COYG
#PSVARS
#awaydays
@gaygooners
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