8 March 2007, by Sean Gillen

PSV send Arsenal tumbling out

Arsenal 1-1 PSV (agg. 1-2)

A late goal from Alex sent Dutch champions PSV into the last eight of the Champions League at the expense of last season’s finalists Arsenal.

The Brazilian’s own goal had given the Gunners a fortuitous lead fifteen minutes into the second half, but the giant centre-back won his side a place in the quarter-finals with a towering header in the closing stages.

The visitors, who arrived without the unwell Portuguese defender Manuel da Costa, successfully negotiated the first forty-five minutes, keeping the scores level and going into the second half with their one-goal cushion intact.

Arsenal levelled the tie shortly before the hour mark when Adebayor glanced a Denilson a corner into the danger area, and the otherwise imperious Alex prodded the ball into his own net from close range.

A crucial moment in the game followed almost immediately, with Togolese star Adebayor sent through on goal only to fire straight at PSV’s Brazilian goalkeeper Gomes.

The commanding Alex, who many believe to be owned by Arsenal’s Premiership rivals Chelsea, scored the tie’s winning goal with seven minutes left when he rose highest to direct a downward header past the dreadfully out of position Jens Lehman.

Koeman hat-trick

The match drew to a close and Edison Mendez’s first leg goal proved the difference between the sides. For Ronald Koeman, it was yet another victory over English opposition after his successes against Man United and Liverpool with Benfica last season.

The Dutchman was understandably delighted with the result, telling reporters after the match: “The result shows that by working hard and with the right attitude you can get results in Europe. In the knockout system anything can happen and we proved that tonight.”

“This an unbelievable result and I’m very proud of the players. I was very pleased with the patience they showed but when Arsenal scored the first goal we expected them to put us under more pressure. Then we made it 1-1 and the match was virtually over.”

“The 1-0 defeat in the first leg was a very difficult result for Arsenal to take into this game. Defensively we were very strong, Alex played very well. He’s a fantastic defender and in the big games, the big players show what they can do.”

Arsenal:
Lehmann, Toure, Silva, Gallas, Clichy (Walcott 85), Ljungberg (Diaby 75), Fabregas, Denilson, Hleb, Julio Baptista (Henry 66), Adebayor
Yellow Cards: Fabregas (81)

PSV:
Gomes, Salcido, Alex, Feher, Sun, Culina, Mendez (Vayrynen 90), Simons, Farfan (Addo 89), Cocu, Kone (Afellay 41)
Yellow Cards: Feher (55)

Goals:
[1-0] Alex, 58 (o.g.)
[1-1] Alex, 83