Mikel Arteta’s nine match unbeaten run in all competitions came grinding to a halt in Eindhoven last Thursday, as PSV put Arsenal’s top spot hopes under threat with a convincing 2-0 win in the Europa League.
Although second-half goals from Joey Veerman and Luke de Jong sealed the victory, it was PSV’s star duo Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons who lit up the Philips Stadium with dazzling dribbling, penetrative running and smart link-up play against the uncharacteristically poor Gunners.
Demonstrating an almost telepathic understanding at times, the two Dutch stars gave a masterclass in how to rip apart a defence relentlessly, namely one which had conceded only 11 goals in 15 appearances heading into the Europa League clash.
On another night, were Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side slightly more switched on in terms of staying onside, Simons and Gakpo would have scored three goals between them in a 5-0 mauling.
Gakpo showed impressive composure after running in behind to chip his first disallowed effort over Aaron Ramsdale in the 18th minute, before Simons stunned Arsenal’s defence with close control in the penalty box to net a goal of his own before the break, which was chalked-off when Anwar El Ghazi was deemed offside in the build-up on review by VAR.
PSV’s No 11 thought he had tapped home a third for the Dutch club midway through the second-half but was denied once again by the linesman’s flag.
Whether put down to a bit of misfortune or a lack of judgement to remain onside, both Gakpo and Simons’ disallowed goals showcased their killer instinct in the final third, which is often a trait lacking in talented youngsters.
When scouts at elite clubs assess the profiles of young attacking players, final product is understandably a very highly sought after trait.
Yet, regardless of goals and assists, the performance against Arsenal launched Gakpo and Simons into the shop window ahead of January, with several elite clubs across Europe eager to bolster their squads in pursuit of silverware.
It is little wonder. The pair have helped PSV become the most potent attack in the Netherlands this season – with the club’s 40 goals bettering any other side in the Eredivisie, where they sit just one point behind Ajax in first.
They’ve also given themselves a fighting chance of usurping Arsenal at the top of their Europa League group. Anything but a win for Arteta’s men at home to Zurich this evening will open the door for Van Nistelrooy’s men and Gakpo and Simons have rarely needed a second invitation this season.
Gakpo was persistently linked with a move to Manchester United this summer before the Red Devils snapped up Ajax winger Antony for £85.5million on deadline day.
The Ajax star has only got better since his links to Old Trafford, contributing an astonishing 13 goals and 16 assists so far this season in all competitions.
Deployed predominantly as a left winger or inside forward, Gakpo excels at drifting off the flank into central areas and running beyond the defence, playing cat and mouse with the offside trap.
At 6ft 2in, the Holland star is built to run in behind with power as well as pace, which was put on full display during Thursday’s 2-0 triumph against Arsenal.
As Simons picked up the ball in the 55th minute, Gakpo’s first instinct was to charge in behind despite standing three or four paces behind right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu, and his quick feet and acceleration left the Japanese defender for dead as he stormed through on goal.
Despite ultimately missing the opportunity from a tight angle, the move demonstrated the goal threat Gakpo poses when stretching the opposition’s defence in behind.
While Gakpo would seemingly suit Manchester United with their left-sided wingers Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho out of form, the Dutchman could prove a fruitful signing for Liverpool, who have clearly missed Sadio Mane’s direct running since his summer switch to Bayern Munich.
Regardless, it seems unlikely the PSV star will stay in Eindhoven for too much longer, having riveted the gaze of multiple top flight clubs across Europe.
Meanwhile, Simons offers Van Nistelrooy a different dynamic in attack, capable of dropping off into the midfield as a hybrid playmaker to create from deep.
His magnetic ball control and swift footwork helps soak up pressure for the likes of Gakpo and El Ghazi to bomb forward, and he possesses the passing range to find them with intricate link-up play around the box or long through balls on the counter-attack.
Simons will no doubt have attracted the interest of Pep Guardiola, who tends to opt for players with this skillset at Manchester City, such as Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva.
PSV’s summer signing boasts an illustrious history at youth level, having played for both the academies of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, and could well return to Europe’s elite as early as next season.
The Amsterdam-born star has scored eight goals and assisted four during his 12 Eredivisie appearances so far this campaign, finally prospering from regular game time after leaving the French champions.
Although PSV lured Simons on a permanent free transfer this summer, reports in France claim that PSG have a buy-back clause attached to the deal, which explains the French giants’ willingness to sanction the youngster’s exit.
Should he continue to flourish in Eindhoven, Simons will likely launch a bidding war amongst the richest top flight clubs in Europe, and this could prompt PSG to swallow their pride and admit the mistake of letting him go by luring the teenager back with a buy-back option.