Mikel Arteta could make minor tweaks from last week’s draw, as the Arsenal manager will name his most potent available lineup for the trip to PSV Eindhoven.
Arsenal embark on an important trip to the Netherlands to take on PSV Eindhoven, against whom they do not have a favourable away record. Mikel Arteta would want to change that narrative, with the UEFA Champions League being the only other competition the Gunners can dream of going the distance in.
During his pre-match press conference, Arteta did not mention anything about fitness-related news, as the squad is expected to be fit. He was asked much about the game ahead and whether this clash could help change the narrative built around Arsenal due to their late inability to get results in the Premier League.
Arteta said, “It’s a game that obviously brings a different energy – it’s that competition that puts everyone on their toes. We’ve done a lot already this season here, and now it’s the moment to start to make another strong step in the right direction that we want to. I’m very excited for the game.”
Arteta was also asked about the importance of taking advantage from the first leg, to which he responded, “You are playing two games, you certainly know that, and everything starts tomorrow. Tomorrow, the more we play with the intention to dominate the game, be better than them, and win it, the better the result will be, I’m sure. “
He was also asked whether he saw Arsenal as contenders for the Champions League, although the Gunners boss insisted on taking everything one step at a time. He said, “I think in the group stages it was very different; I could see it very open, now I see it very closed because I just see one opponent which is PSV and tomorrow’s game, and that’s it. In the first stage, it’s been very different.”
Regarding team news, Arsenal do not have any fresh fitness concerns, and players who have been out injured have not returned. Hence, the lineup might look similar to what drew away at Nottingham Forest. Jurrien Timber might keep his place at right-back ahead of Ben White, while Riccardo Calafiori will retain his left-back slot.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes will continue their central partnership. Meanwhile, Thomas Partey could return to the starting eleven instead of Jorginho, although the Italian international offered something different in the Nottingham Forest clash. Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice will take their spots on either side of Partey in the midfield three.
Arteta might have thought about reintroducing Raheem Sterling to the front three, but it might be a case of carrying on with the limited options he has, which could see Mikel Merino lead the line once again. Meanwhile Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri complete the front three.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard
