Arsenal host Psv Eindhoven in the Champions League for the first time in six seasons, which is a welcome delight if you ask me. It’s funny to think that there was a time when Champions League qualification was a norm for Arsenal, and the fans got so used to it, only to come to a time in our lives when it took a long while to return to Europe’s elite competition.
Arsenal take on a PSV Eindhoven side that is flying high in the EreDivisie under Peter Bosz and much of this great form is attributed to their captain and talisman, Luuk de Jong, that has scored nine goals so far this season. PSV started the season well with the Johan Cruyff Shield win over Feyernoord, and they have won all four of their League games, scoring for fun.
The prospect of listening to the Champions League anthem tonight at the Emirates fills my heart with joy, as we welcome the continental competition, but we have to focus on getting out of the Group with maximum points, as we also have the threat of Sevilla and RC Lens to contend with.
Arsenal will have to soldier on tonight without Gabriel Martinelli that pulled up short against Everton, which will give Leandro Trossard a chance to play in the Champions League for the first time. The Belgian was excited for scoring the winning goal over the weekend and was also happy in featuring in the Champions League for Arsenal. With the North London Derby in the horizon against a much-improved Tottenham side, Mikel Arteta will have to rotate his squad to keep them fresh for the Derby.
On potential change will be the return to goal for Aaron Ramsdale, who was on the news after he was dropped for David Raya in Goodison Park. Kai Havertz will have another opportunity to strut his stuff and hopefully score his first Arsenal goal, as Fabio Vieira is knocking on the door for a first team berth. Players like Emile Smith-Rowe will be itching for a start or to at least feature in the squad tonight and I have a hunch that Arteta will give him some minutes tonight.
Regarding injuries, Arsenal still have their long-term absentees, Jurrien Timber and Mo Elneny, and we are not expecting them anytime soon, but the medical team will be sweating over the fitness of Martinelli for the North London Derby.
PSV has managed to conduct some good transfer business bringing in the likes of Hirving Lozano, Ssrgino Dest, Noa Lang and Armel Bella-Kotchap while losing Xavi Simons and Ibrahim Sangare. However, as their form as shown, they have coped well and are doing great in their league, so they will be no pushovers.
PSV will also take some comfort from the fact that they beat Arsenal last season in the Europa League, even though it was the Cody Gakpo show that night.
Arsenal and PSV Predicted Lineups
Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Tomiyasu; Rice, Havertz, Odegaard; Trossard, G. Jesus, Saka.
PSV: Benitez; Dest, Bella-Kotchap, Ramalho, Teze; Veerman, Schouten, Saibari; Lozano, de Jong, Bakayoko.
Injury / Suspension Updates
Arsenal: Jurrien Timber (knee), Mohamed Elneny (knee), Gabriel Martinelli (hamstring)
PSV: Armando Obispo (knee), Fredrik Oppegard (knock), Mauro Junior (knee)
Form Guide
Arsenal Form
- Last Five Games: W W D W W
- Last Result: Everton 0-1 Arsenal (Trossard 69′)
- Leading Goalscorer: Eddie Nketiah, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard (2)
PSV Eindhoven
- Last Five Games: W D W W W
- Last Result: PSV Eindhoven 4-0 NEC Nijmegen (de Jong 37′ 49, Lang 38′, Pepi 87′)
- Leading Goalscorer: Luuk de Jong (4)
Gooner Daily predicts a 3 – 1 win.
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