Mikel Arteta called on Arsenal to take the “next step” after booking their place in the Champions League last eight in successive seasons for the first time in 15 years.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Declan Rice were on the scoresheet as the Gunners drew 2-2 with PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates Stadium to win 9-3 on aggregate after dealing the Eredivisie side a 7-1 drubbing in the reverse fixture.
They next face Real Madrid, who won a dramatic, controversial penalty shoot-out 4-2 to beat rivals Atletico Madrid and continue the defence of their European crown.
Arteta said: “We have to value that and recognise that it is very difficult to do it (back-to-back).
“We’ve done it consistently, and now we want to make the next step, which is going to be very difficult, but we are very capable.”
Zinchenko opened the scoring after six minutes before Ivan Perisic gave the spirited PSV supporters something to cheer about when he fired in an 18th minute-equaliser – the first time Arsenal have conceded at home in the competition this season.
Rice nodded the Gunners back in front before the break, but Couhaib Driouech drew PSV level with 20 minutes remaining.
Asked why he was particularly proud of the Gunners’ consistency, Arteta added: “Why is it important? Because we want to win.
“You’re going to have to go through the stages, and because the club needs it. We are a club, a team, that wants to be the best and want to be competing with the best clubs in the world.
“In order to do that, you constantly have to be there. And it’s very difficult, but we’ve done it for two years in a row and we have the capacity and the ability to do it even better.”
Arteta overhauled his line-up, making seven changes from Sunday’s Manchester United draw, while there were five alterations for PSV head coach Peter Bosz from the first leg.
Raheem Sterling, who earned a start, provided the assists for both Arsenal goals and nearly added one of his own in second-half stoppage time.
Arteta added: “I was happy for him and for a lot of individuals as well that haven’t had a lot of minutes, recently.
Two assists ✅ Champions League Player of the Match ✅
A big performance from Raheem 👏 pic.twitter.com/MHYAUad2tf
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 12, 2025
“You could tell in the second half that we lacked physical capabilities to make certain efforts and arrive to certain spaces in the right time, but overall I am very happy that they got the minutes and they responded.”
Chelsea loanee Sterling will miss the first leg of the quarter-finals through suspension, however, after he was booked late on, his third yellow card of the tournament.
Arteta agreed he could see the 30-year-old’s confidence coming back after his involvement in the first goal.
He added: “Yeah, and then the second one, and then he does the last final action as well that he (could have) scored the third goal, and the keeper makes the save.
“The way he tracked back after the corner in the last action when he got booked, that’s the kind of play we want to see.”
Ange Postecoglou insisted his controversial cupped ear celebration to Tottenham fans in a 1-0 loss at Chelsea had been misinterpreted on another bad night for the Australian.Spurs slipped to a 16th defeat in the Premier League this season thanks to a 50th-minute header by Enzo Fernandez, but it only told half the story of a typically frenzied London derby.VAR was required to rule out a fine strike...

Chelsea climbed back into the Premier League’s top four as Enzo Fernandez’s header early in the second half earned a 1-0 derby win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.Enzo Maresca’s side were under pressure after limping into the international break playing football that had ceased to excite home fans, but they largely had the better of a disappointing Spurs team that failed to tak...

Reports suggest a striker, a new central midfielder, a winger and a backup goalkeeper all on the Italian's agenda as the season comes to a close. However, this means player sales will also be key to boosting Arteta's spending power if they want to comply with financial rules much like every other Premier League side. Raheem Sterling and veteran No.2 goalkeeper Neto are both set to return to their ...

Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Sam Barrott last night Kiwior VS Vinicius Jr. & Mbappe Fun Fact Once upon a time they all used to called as next Messi. VAR referee placing bets during a live game in the Bulgaria league. Only Didier Drogba can do this… Tottenham always make Chelsea feel better Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, ori...

Manchester United will beat Arsenal to the signing of fearsome Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres this summer, according to a Liverpool legend.Gyokeres is one of the most in-demand centre-forwards in the world after registering an incredible 85 goals in 92 appearances for Sporting CP since joining the club in July 2023. The 26-year-old was prevented from leaving last summer by a massive €100mil...

The Canada international is poised to become a free agent this summer, leading to plenty of interest in him from top Premier League clubs.According to Empire of the Kop, it now looks like Liverpool are serious contenders to sign David ahead of the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham.It's not often quality players like David are available for free, so it ...

Ollie Watkins was a transfer target for Arsenal back in JanuaryArsenal are gearing up for a busy summer transfer window with a new striker at the top of Mikel Arteta's wishlist. But there are seemingly no plans to rekindle their interest in Ollie Watkins after their failed January swoop for the Aston Villa star.Watkins, 29, emerged as a surprise target for the Gunners in the winter transfer window...

Man Utd hand Amir Ibragimov his first professional contract🚨✍🏻 Official: Amir Ibragimov has signed his first professional contract for Manchester United.He’s highly rated internally among talents for the future. pic.twitter.com/YrkLvNUeRd— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 3, 2025Real Madrid sign highly-rated Diego Aguado🚨⚪️ 18 year old talent Diego Aguado has signed new deal at ...

David Moyes believes James Tarkowski was lucky to avoid a red card for his reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister as Everton were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool on a controversial night at Anfield.Diogo Jota’s 57th-minute goal, which Moyes claimed should have been ruled out for offside, gave Liverpool a 100th derby win and moved them a step closer to the Premier League title, but both sides were...

Jack Grealish dedicated his goal to his late brother after scoring in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Leicester on Wednesday.The England international hit his first Premier League goal for 16 months, on his first start in the competition since last December, as City moved back into fourth with a comfortable success at the Etihad Stadium.It came on the 25th anniversary of...



- 1 Hot WAG flaunts 'astonishing' washboard abs in bikini
- 2 Danny Rohl hails Sheffield Wednesday resilience in draw at Cardiff
- 3 Alfie May double sends Birmingham step closer to Championship
- 4 Marcus Rashford scores first Premier League goal for Villa in win at Brighton
- 5 Ryan Lowe and Conor Hourihane felt team deserved more as Wigan and Barnsley draw
- 6 Mat Sadler hails Taylor Allen set-piece skills after Walsall snatch draw
- 7 Chris Davies says Alfie May’s goal drought never concerned him
- 8 Football fan 'eats' raw pig's head in ultimate insult
- 9 Marcus Rashford still looking to improve after firing Villa into FA Cup semis
- 10 Chelsea prepare €70m for Barcelona defender