sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Xavi Simons absolutely ran the show against Arsenal, he's a special talent

Home> Football

Updated 11:01 28 Oct 2022 GMT+1Published 10:42 28 Oct 2022 GMT+1

Xavi Simons absolutely ran the show against Arsenal, he's a special talent

19-year-old Xavi Simons dropped a masterclass as PSV beat Arsenal 2-0 on Thursday night.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

19-year-old Xavi Simons was the star of the show as PSV Eindhoven beat Arsenal 2-0 in the Europa League.

Ruud van Nistelrooy's side scored twice in the second half through Joey Veerman and Luuk de Jong, the latter capitalising on an error from Aaron Ramsdale in the 63rd minute.

But Simons, who has been known by many football fans for a few years now, was comfortably the best player on the pitch.

In the first half, he jinked his way through Arsenal's backline in exquisite fashion before slotting past Ramsdale - only for the goal to be disallowed for an offside in the build-up.

Advert

This was a feature of Simons' game all evening though, as he displayed fantastic footwork to weave in and out of defenders.

He was the one always making things happening for PSV, playing with no fear. His work-rate and energy levels were seriously impressive and so too was his decision-making on the ball, regularly playing the perfect pass for his teammates.


Simons completed 100 per cent of his dribbles, had 10 passes in the final third and also contested 13 duels - the most of anyone on the pitch.

It was a complete performance and one that earned him a standing ovation when he was replaced by English youngster Noni Madueke in the 80th minute.

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

The midfielder returned to his native Netherlands in the summer, turning down a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain in search of regular football after just 11 appearances

He penned a five-year deal with PSV and has settled in rapidly, scoring 10 goals and registering four assists in all competitions.

Simons is a former Barcelona academy player but after the Arsenal win, he laid into the Blaugrana in a honest post-match interview.


"Believe me, at Barca they don't do much work in the gym. They work with the ball, but not in the gym," Simons told ESPN.

"When I arrived at Paris Saint-Germain, I found the differences. At PSG they worked in the gym.”

Simons, who can speak four different languages, has caught the eye of Dutch boss Louis van Gaal, who has named him in his preliminary World Cup squad.

And Simons has admitted it would be a "dream" to participate in the showpiece in Qatar.

"I think I made a good decision by going to PSV. I'm very happy, I think you can see that," he said post-match.

"I will give everything and then it is up to the national coach to decide. It is a dream to participate in go to the World Cup. Who doesn't want to play a World Cup? But first PSV."

Featured Image Credit: BT Sport

Topics: Xavi Simons, PSV, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Recommended reads

Dennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeGettyRanking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

26 mins ago
3 hours ago
4 hours ago
  • Getty
    26 mins ago

    Chelsea set to save millions as Mykhailo Mudryk's record-breaking Premier League ban confirmed

    Having not played since 2024, Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk is facing a lengthy ban from football following an anti-doping violation.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    3 hours ago

    Mykhailo Mudryk handed biggest ban in Premier League history over doping scandal

    The Chelsea star has learned his fate after testing positive for a banned substance in 2024.

    Football
  • Getty
    3 hours ago

    Goalkeeper who punched opposition player hit with historic punishment

    Having been sent off, the Real Zaragoza goalkeeper punched a Huesca player square in the face and has now been punished.

    Football
  • Getty
    4 hours ago

    Premier League cult hero forced to retire aged 33 wants a 'life free of pain' after new surgery

    The player made 177 Premier League appearances.

    Football
  • Xavi Simons' price tag has emerged amid Arsenal and Chelsea interest
  • A compilation of Xavi Simons ripping up the Eredivisie with PSV is unreal, he's a serious baller
  • Xavi Simons 'rejects' Bayern Munich after asking for Premier League move and knows the club he wants to join
  • Mikel Arteta has two secret weapons to help convince Xavi Simons to sign for Arsenal over Chelsea