Europa League: PSV beat Arsenal as Veerman and de Jong shine

PSV Eindhoven took advantage of Arsenal’s shaky defense as they defeated them 2-0 in the Netherlands, casting doubt on their chances of winning their Europa League group.

To avoid a play-off match in the knockout rounds of Europe’s secondary competition, finishing first in Group A is crucial. Top Champions League teams, like Barcelona, are slipping into the competition’s knockout stages.

The gap between the Gunners and the Dutch giants has now been reduced to two points, so the Gunners must win their final match against FC Zurich.

The goals on the night were scored by Joey Veerman and former Newcastle United striker Luuk de Jong, but the score could have been much higher if it weren’t for three goals that were disallowed for offside.

Mikel Arteta’s team had a wonderful first half.

Both the efforts of winger Cody Gakpo and ex-Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player Xavi Simons were disallowed.

After 19 minutes, Captain Gakpo had an exquisite finish disqualified.

He came inside from his position out on the left, leaving center-back William Saliba in his wake, and finished it off with a deft chip over Aaron Ramsdale, who had gotten off his line and was making his debut in Europe.

Simons was the next to be turned down two minutes before the break, though this time the video assistant had to step in.

Anwar El Ghazi, a former player for Aston Villa, did excellent work to set up the wonderkid for a goal.