UCL round up: Arsenal returns with a bang, United falters again

Bukayo Saka wheels away after scoring Arsenal's first goal in the Champions League since 2017. Arsenal beat PSV 4-0. (Photo credit: Arsenal.com)

The UEFA Champions League came with bright lights and glamorous glitz, the goosebumps that come with the spiritual anthem, and drops of tears from the grateful debutants.

Manchester City beat Red Star Belgrade as expected, but not without the drama that such an occasion throws at us, with the visitors scoring first at the death in the first half, but Julian Alvarez proved once again to be the hidden gem at the Etihad alongside Rodri.

It wasn’t pretty for the red half of Manchester. Bayern Munich toyed with the Red Devils, and the 4-3 result would have flattered Erik Ten Hag’s side. It was a bit of ping-pong in terms of goals, but the eye test says otherwise.

The Bavarians dominated play and didn’t need too much to penetrate the United defense. Injuries currently play a part in the struggles of the 2008 champions, but managerial decisions and the lackadaisical attitude of some players beg for change.

Harry Kane was excited to convert from the sport, but he also looked so good in red and white, according to Thierry Henry. Spurs claim to have a buy-back clause in the deal that took Kane to Germany, but will he ditch trophy opportunities for the Shenanigans at Tottenham?

It was a return full of lessons for the Geordies. They didn’t create any chances of note in their goalless draw against AC Milan. The hosts would later regret missed chances, but Eddie Howe would celebrate a precious point on his Champions League debut.

It was a night to remember for the gunners. Seven years out, Arsenal had the biggest win of the opening night, beating PSV 4-0, with Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus, and Martin Odegaard all scoring their first Champions League goals for the club.

Arsenal blitzed past PSV, with the visitors struggling to cope with the intensity Arsenal brought to the game on the night. It didn’t take long for Saka to get on the end of an Odegaard effort off the goalkeeper to set the Gunners on the way to a beautiful night.

Trossard received from Saka moments later and doubled the lead with a fierce effort from the edge of the PSV box before Gabriel Jesus had an acre of space to play with for Arsenal’s third. Odegaard rounded off scoring in the second half with what is now becoming his trademark effort from outside the box.

Arsenal will travel to Lens next, while Sevilla will be away to PSV. Arsenal is primed to win Group B, with Sevilla preparing to drop to the Europa League like they always do.