The excitement was so high at Arsenal over their first Champions League appearance in six years that they printed the lyrics to the competition's anthem in the matchday programme. Not many sang along to "Zadok The Priest" when the time came, but there was an audible cheer as the opening bars rang out across a rain-sodden Emirates Stadium, a cathartic release of the pain suffered through their prolonged absence from Europe's premier club stage.
The Gunners were determined to seize their moment back in the big time, and they did not disappoint, cruising to a 4-0 win over PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday achieved through an authority typically associated with seasoned Champions League campaigners. None of the starting lineup for their previous outing -- a 5-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich in March 2017 -- are still at the club, though.
Death. Taxes. Arsenal competing against Europe's top club competition. Until 2017, the Gunners playing in the Champions League was almost as certain the first two. Then, suddenly, it wasn't. But now, Arsenal is back after a five-year absence, and Mikel Arteta's team celebrated that return in style Wednesday with a resounding 4-0 win over Dutch league leaders PSV Eindhoven at Emirates Stadium in London.
The 94th-minute goal also ensured that Real kept up their 100% record this campaign, earning them a sixth straight win.
"I'm a confident lad but I really couldn't have hoped for things to start as well as this in terms of goals," said Bellingham, who was signed from Borussia Dortmund in June for 103 million euros ($109.94 million).
"We've played five in LaLiga, one in the Champions League and won all six so we can't really complain about that.
The last time Arsenal played in the Champions League they suffered a chastening 10-2 aggregate drubbing at the hands of Bayern Munich, since when their perennial place amongst the Premier League's top-four became a fading memory.
Runners-up spot to Manchester City last season sent them back to the top table and Dutch side PSV proved the perfect opponents on a rain-drenched night in north London.
"It was a beautiful night," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told reporters. "In both boxes today we were exceptional and that was the difference.
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