The pressure was off as both sides had already booked their ticket to the last 16 and Arsenal in particular seemed to lack competitive bite at the Philips Stadion.
PSV have been the team to take this season in the Eredivisie, winning all 15 of their matches and opening a 10-point gap over nearest rivals Feyenoord.
And it was the Dutch side who started the stronger, a smart move down the right opening up the Gunners’ defense only for striker Ricardo Pepi to miss from close range.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta made eight changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Aston Villa in the Premier League at the weekend and the Gunners lacked organization at the back and penetration up front.
PSV created plenty of chances in the first half with some excellent interplay and Belgium international striker Jorbe Vertesen hit the post with a fine header that beat Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Arsenal’s first real chance came after almost half an hour, a speculative shot from Egypt international defender Mohamed Elneny just wide of the post.
But the London club took the lead minutes before the break as striker Eddie Nketiah had plenty of space in the box and fired a low shot into the corner.
One-nil for Arsenal — against the run of play.
Having scored an impressive 52 goals in the domestic competition, PSV have lost just once this season — to Arsenal, who crushed them 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium in the reverse fixture.
And they were back on level terms less than five minutes into the second half when another through ball broke through Arsenal’s midfield and Vertesen curled his shot past Ramsdale.
The home side continued to stroke the ball around with confidence and Ramsdale kept his side in the game with a fingertip save from Morocco international Ismael Saibari.
The Gunners were denied what would have been an unfair victory as Jakub Kiwior’s powerful header on 82 minutes was ruled out for offside.
And PSV missed the chance to grab it at the death, Guus Til dragging his shot wide after being one-on-one with the keeper.
While both sides continued to press gamely, neither would be too disappointed with the draw which saw them both in the last 16 hat trick.