Well, it’s job done at least. This was hardly a tussle to stir the senses. In truth, it wasn’t much fun at all. But two crucial facts remain: Arsenal won once more. And thanks to Granit Xhaka’s second-half strike, they are through to the knockout stages of the Europa League at the earliest possibly opportunity.
Sometimes, that is all that matters. Particularly during these punishing runs. Particularly when PSV had the weapons to make this a very uncomfortable night indeed.
They did, in a way, but not by unleashing their young attacking talent and hurting Arsenal. Rather by a resolute display that frustrated Mikel Arteta’s side until a swing of Xhaka’s right boot with 20 minutes to go.