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Mikel Arteta admitted to becoming emotional on a \u201cbeautiful night\u201d as Arsenal marked their long-awaited Champions League return with a stylish 4-0 win against PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates Stadium.<\/p>\n
In their first outing in this competition for six years, Arteta\u2019s side put PSV to the sword in the first half, going in at the break 3-0 up after a ruthless show of attacking intent.<\/p>\n
First Bukayo Saka reacted fastest to score on the rebound after Martin Odegaard\u2019s long-range effort was parried by Walter Benitez in the PSV goal, before the England winger turned provider with a smart pull-back that was guided into the bottom corner by Leandro Trossard.<\/p>\n
After 38 minutes the game was all but over as Gabriel Jesus took a touch inside the box and drilled an unstoppable drive into the far corner.<\/p>\n
Odegaard added his team\u2019s fourth when he shot low with his left foot past the goalkeeper with 20 minutes to play, as last season\u2019s Eredivisie runners-up were outrun and outclassed by Arteta\u2019s side, who were at their electric best in wet and difficult conditions in north London.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt was a beautiful night after such a long time,\u201d said Arteta.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to produce the right performance to win the game. It was great to see the atmosphere and the Champions League music.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone was getting a bit emotional before it. We showed in both boxes today I think we were exceptional. That was the difference today, I think.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was (emotional), yeah. I was really excited about it. I wanted to control and not show that too much, but I was really excited.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe journey started last year when we earned the right to be in this competition which is where we have to be as a club. Now we have to produce what we have to produce to stay at this level.\u201d<\/p>\n
After watching his side struggle at times to break down opponents who have set up defensively against them in the Premier League this season, Arteta was particularly pleased with the way his attack effectively killed the contest off before the break, taking advantage of a more open game than they have been used to domestically.<\/p>\n
\u201c(It was) very good,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s what we have to do. That\u2019s why I mentioned that in the box we were exceptional today, we were ruthless, we took our chances. (It) was top. And as well we could have done more. Probably as managers we are looking a bit more on that than any part.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amongst an array of standout performances for Arteta\u2019s team, Kai Havertz enjoyed possibly the best display of his early Arsenal career.<\/p>\n
There had been signs of frustration from home supporters towards the \u00a365million summer signing during recent games at the Emirates, but he was instrumental in the team\u2019s fluent attacking rhythm as he finally looked at home in an Arsenal shirt.<\/p>\n
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\u201cYeah, he was really connected today in the game,\u201d said Arteta.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s true I asked him to play two different roles in regards to the behaviours of the opponents and he\u2019s so intelligent that he does it. It\u2019s just finishing one or two actions that we had but it\u2019s coming and he\u2019s so willing to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n