Martin Odegaard celebrates an Arsenal goal. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Fired-up Arsenal thrashed PSV Eindhoven 7-1 away in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie after rattling in three goals in a 13-minute spell in the first half and then ruthlessly added four more after the break.
Jurrien Timber opened the scoring in the 18th minute, followed by a strike from teenager Ethan Nwaneri before Mikel Merino added the third in the 31st.
The Dutch champions pulled one back with a Noa Lang penalty for a 3-1 halftime deficit but two goals in the opening three minutes after the break reinforced Arsenal's dominance, with captain Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard scoring.
Odegaard got his second goal in the 73rd minute before substitute Riccardo Calafiori netted the seventh five minutes from time to complete the rout at the Philips Stadion.
Arsenal registered their biggest away win in European club competition and put themselves in a virtually unassailable position to advance to the quarter-finals where they will meet either Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid.
Real Madrid lead that tie 2-1 in what was a stuttering capital derby between bitter rivals who at times looked to be playing within themselves, seemingly conserving some energy for what is likely to be a compelling return leg at Atletico's Metropolitano Stadium next week.
Aston Villa earned a 3-1 win away to Club Brugge thanks to an own goal and a penalty kick in the final eight minutes.
Leon Bailey put Villa ahead after three minutes and Maxim De Cuyper levelled nine minutes later. But Brugge's Brandon Mechele scored an own goal eight minutes from time and with two minutes left, Marco Asensio converted from the penalty spot.
The sides will meet again at Villa Park next week for the second leg, to decide who will face either Liverpool or Paris St Germain in the quarter-finals.
In Tuesday's other tie Borussia Dortmund and Lille drew 1-1.
On Wednesday PSG play Liverpool, Befica play Barcelona, Bayern Munich play Bayer Leverkusen and Feyenoord play Inter Milan.
- Reuters
