PSV Eindhoven star Ivan Perisic has been left looking a little foolish after making comments about Arsenal before their Champions League clash.
Perisic's team were thrashed 7-1 by the Gunners, who took a huge step towards for the quarter-finals with a record-breaking win. Ahead of the game, the former Tottenham winger brought up Arsenal's lack of trophies under Mikel Arteta, having last tasted silverware during his first season back in 2020.
"Arsenal often lacked that one bit to win something last year," Perisic, 36, told a press conference. "We have to be fully prepared, then we have a good chance to beat them."
The Croatia international might be wishing he was less candid, as Arsenal ran riot in Eindhoven. Goals from Jurrien Timber, Ethan Nwanderi, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori did the damage. PSV's glimmer of hope came when Noa Lang reduced the deficit to 3-1 with a penalty just before half-time.
The Gunners will - unless they suffer the biggest collapse in Champions League history - face either Real Madrid or Atletico in the quarter-finals. For PSV, it's about getting back on the horse, having lost their fourth game in seven.
"Terrible night for us," manager Peter Bosz told Prime Video Sport post-match. "[We had] no chance. Maybe two moments in the game - our first chance after 15 minutes when we hit the bar and the second yellow were moments to come back in the game. Football wise we had no chance. We were not in our best form. Arsenal played fantastic, we had no chance tonight."
Bosz, who led PSV to the Eredivisie title last season, continued: "I cannot imagine that I would ever lose this big so the players were disappointed. For us it's important in a couple of days to return to the championship.
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"We will analyse this game and help the players, if you lose this big you need to help them. We have to accept it but it's hard. We have to do it quick because only 10 games to play so we need men now."
Meanwhile, a gleeful Arteta said of the win: "It's a massive result away from home in a competition that we love, that we miss for so many years. Today is a really special night for us."
Arsenal captain Odegaard added: "Brilliant start to end. Really good going forward, creating chances, scoring goals. Unfortunately conceded one goal but top performance."