Our member Joel Ho shares his visit to The Arsenal to watch the team take on West Ham in PSV Eidnhoven in March 2025.

A Strange but Special European Night at the Emirates
European nights at the Emirates always hit differently, but this one felt particularly odd. With Arsenal having already demolished PSV 7-1 in the first leg, the tie felt all but settled, making this clash less about drama and more about sealing our place in the quarterfinals. Still, a Champions League knockout game under the Emirates lights is something to savour. Thanks to Arsenal Singapore, I had the incredible opportunity to be in the stands for this one. But before taking my seat, I had two unforgettable encounters—a quick photo with ex-Arsenal player Giovanni van Bronckhorst and my matchday program signed by the legendary Martin Keown, who was on media duties!

The game kicked off with the perfect storyline—Oleksandr Zinchenko, facing his former club, opened the scoring with a stunning strike. The Emirates erupted, and for a moment, it felt like another rout was on the cards. Surely, another 7-1 demolition? But football rarely follows the script. PSV showed more resilience this time, and though Declan Rice restored our lead before halftime, the match quickly settled into a low-tempo affair. Arsenal, with one eye on the quarterfinals, seemed to shift into second gear, controlling possession but rarely stepping on the gas. It felt like a professional but cautious performance rather than the free-flowing Arsenal we’ve come to love.

Despite the lack of fireworks in the second half, the job was already done in Eindhoven. PSV never truly threatened to overturn the deficit. A strange but special night—a match that lacked the tension of a proper knockout tie, yet one that added another step to our European journey. No matter the circumstances, a Champions League tie under the Emirates lights is always worth celebrating. 

On to the next one. Up the Arsenal!