A much changed Arsenal was pegged back to draw 1-1 away at Dutch league leader PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Tuesday as both sides concluded their Group B campaign, having already secured berths in the last-16.
Eddie Nketiah put Arsenal ahead three minutes before the break but the home side equalised five minutes into the second half through Yorbe Vertessen, who also struck the post in the first half.
The Gunners, who had already secured first place in the group, finished with 13 points from their six matches with PSV on nine, ahead of third-placed RC Lens, which dropped down to the Europa League.
Nketiah’s first Champions League goal was teed up by a square pass from Reiss Nelson, whose run down the right and interchange of passes with Cedric opened up the home defence.
Vertessen, who hit the upright with a 19th-minute header from Jordan Teze’s cross, also scored off the woodwork after his curling effort hit both posts before going in. The Belgian had made a strong run down the field before being picked out by Ricardo Pepi in a swift attacking move by the hosts.
PSV, the runaway leader in its domestic league after winning its first 15 games of the season, could have scored a second goal in the 66th minute but Ismael Saibari’s deflected effort hit the post and then a breakaway in the last minute saw substitute Guus Till hit his angled effort off target.
Arsenal had the ball in the home side’s net nine minutes from time but the headed effort from Jakub Kiwior was ruled offside. It might have snatched victory with the last kick of the game but PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez made a flying stop to deny Leandro Trossard and Kiwior blasted the rebound well wide.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made eight changes from his side which was beaten at Aston Villa on Saturday and bumped off the top place in the Premier League. It is the only side to beat PSV this season, with a 4-0 win in London in September in the opening group game.
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