Arsenal's hopes of silverware were ended for another season as PSV Eindhoven secured a draw at Emirates Stadium to progress into the last eight of the Champions League.

Manager Arsene Wenger had warned his side needed to tighten up at set-pieces, but that again proved to be their Achilles heel this evening as defender Alex - who had earlier scored an own goal to level the tie - powered in a bullet header with just seven minutes to go to seal the Gunners' fate.

Even the introduction of talisman and captain Thierry Henry for the final 25 minutes was not enough to see last season's beaten finalists through.

While third place in the Premiership remains very much a realistic goal for Wenger's men, this result will leave the club without a trophy for the second season running.

Following a cagey opening, the first chance of the match came on eight minutes.

Kolo Toure - currently serving a domestic ban - broke down the right, and brushed past fellow Ivory Coast international Arouna Kone before cutting back into the box.

However, with team-mates queuing up, the defender could only slice his shot horribly wide of the near post.

There was an early warning for the Gunners when Peru striker Jefferson Farfan held off the attentions of stand-in centre-back Gilberto on the right of the Arsenal box before drilling a low strike into the side netting.

At the other end, Cesc Fabregas' chip into the area almost picked out Emmanuel Adebayor - but the beanpole Togo striker, also currently suspended for domestic games, was just beaten to the loose ball by keeper Gomes.

Toure, playing at right-back, was getting forward at every opportunity.

On 22 minutes, his fierce angled drive was beaten away by the PSV keeper.

Arsenal were pressing now, and a neat interchange of passes saw Adebayor dash to the goal-line.

Fabregas' shot from the cut-back was blocked - and Julio Baptista volleyed just over.

Despite all Arsenal's dominance, the home side were unable to find a telling pass.

As the half-hour mark passed, PSV captain Philip Cocu sent a free header wide when picked out in the centre by Edison Mendez.

With five minutes left of the first half, the visitors felt they had a claim for a penalty.

Gilberto struggled to clear a backpass and only managed to fall over before Farfan then followed him on to the turf in a tangle of legs.

Luxembourg referee Alain Hamer, though, was having none of it and waved play on.

Wenger knew he had just 45 minutes to keep alive the dream of a second successive Champions League final appearance.

His half-time team-talk looked to have had the desired affect as it was a bright start by the hosts.

Baptista and Sun Xiang tussled on the edge of the penalty area, and the Brazilian took a tumble - but again the referee was unmoved.

Arsenal pulled themselves back into the tie on 58 minutes following a period of sustained pressure.

A corner from the left was flicked on at the near post by Adebayor into the six-yard box where Alex, facing his own goal, diverted the ball into the net.

The Gunners almost snatched the overall lead in the tie when Fabregas' long ball upfield was completely missed by Carlos Salcido and Adebayor raced clear - but Gomes was out quickly to make a smart save.

Fabregas then fired over from 12 yards, before at the other end Mendez shot wide following good work down the PSV right.

With 25 minutes left, Wenger turned to Henry, who replaced Baptista.

It needed a flying save from Gomes to keep out a curled free-kick from the Arsenal captain as the home side continued to press for a winner in normal time.

Disaster struck, however, with seven minutes to go.

A needless free-kick conceded out on the left touchline by Alexander Hleb was whipped into the area by Mendez.

Alex got up above everyone to bullet a header into the far corner to send PSV into the quarter-finals and Arsenal crashing out.

Teams

Arsenal Lehmann, Toure, Silva, Gallas, Clichy (Walcott 85),Ljungberg (Diaby 75), Fabregas, Denilson, Hleb,Julio Baptista (Henry 66), Adebayor.

Subs Not Used: Almunia, Djourou, Aliadiere, Traore.

Booked: Fabregas.

Goals: Alex 58 og.

PSV Gomes, Salcido, Alex, Feher, Sun, Culina,Mendez (Vayrynen 90), Simons, Farfan (Addo 89), Cocu,Kone (Afellay 41).

Subs Not Used: Moens, Tardelli, Marcellis.

Booked: Feher.

Goals: Alex 83.

Agg (1-2)

Att: 60,073

Ref: Alain Hamer (Luxembourg).