Arsenal, as expected, eased their way into the last eight of the UEFA Champions League following a 2-2 draw at The Emirates Stadium v PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday 11 March 2025. The aggregate score was 9-3 to The Gunners but this second leg was a much more even game. The changed home side fielded 3 left backs of whom Oleksandr Zinchenko scored his first Champions League goal in this his 40th such match. Arsenal’s reward is a Quarter-final tie against Holders Real Madrid.
There was nothing easy about Tottenham Hotspurs’ 3-1 win against AZ Alkmaar which put them into the UEFA Europa League last eight. They started 0-1 down, got to 2-1 ahead, then AZ equalized 2-2 on aggregate before a second goal by Wilson Odobert gave The Lilywhites a final 3-1 score and through 3-2 on aggregate. Next up it will be Frankfurt who beat the famous Ajax of Amsterdam 6-2 on aggregate!
Chelsea completed the trio of Quarter-finalists in their UEFA Conference League match beating a keen Copenhagen side 1-0 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate in a poor game.
Premier London Derbies (PLDs) is back on Sunday 16 March with two matches one of which features two of the UEFA Competition survivors Arsenal v Chelsea. There have been 5 home wins, 2 away wins and a score draw in the last 8 seasons. The Gunners have had too many draws this season to win the Premier League but another is likely with The Blues[i] wanting every point themselves.
The other PLDs match is Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur which has been an away win on 3 of the last 4 times played. Fulham are 10th and 8 points ahead of Spurs but the North London Clubs’ league form is improving and their success in Europe may clinch a win.
Until next time “Keep Safe” and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.