Bukayo Saka was in inspiring form for Arsenal on Wednesday night with a goal and an assist in their 4-0 thrashing of PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates Stadium in their first game back in the Champions League in over six years.
The 22-year-old English forward, who was making his debut in the competition, opened the scoring for Mikel Arteta’s side in the 8th minute after rebounding Martin Odegaard’s effort.
A FOURmidable performance ⭐️
All the best bits from our victory over PSV Eindhoven ????
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 20, 2023
Saka then turned provider shortly after, laying the ball off for Belgian forward Leandro Trossard, who then sent in a low strike past Walter Benitez and into the bottom corner to double the side’s lead for his second goal in as many games.
After forcing two brilliant saves from Benitez, Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus finally registered his name on the scoresheet in the 38th minute with a thumping finish into the top corner after a brilliant pass from Trossard.
4-0 – Arsenal have started a UEFA Champions League campaign with a win on MD1 for the first time since 2013-14 (2-1 v Marseille), while this was their biggest opening match victory in the competition since 2010-11 (6-0 v Sporting Braga). Foundations. pic.twitter.com/gQyFglnNQo
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 20, 2023
Odegaard capped off a brilliant performance with his side’s fourth goal, blasting the ball home from close range to ensure Arteta’s men sealed all three points in their return to Europe’s elite club competition.
The quartet of Saka, Trossard, Jesus, and Odegaard made history for the Gunners as it marked the seventh time in the competition’s history that four players will score on their debut for the club in the same match, and their first time since RB Leipzig did it in 2019.
The win takes Arsenal atop Group B with three points, and they continue their unbeaten start to the new campaign with five wins and a draw in six games across all competitions.
