PSV Eindhoven have a mountain to climb after Arsenal’s goals galore in the first leg, which has potentially booked them a place in the quarter-finals.
Arsenal will ideally consider this second-leg clash against PSV Eindhoven as a mere formality courtesy of their devastating attacking display in the first leg in the Netherlands. The Gunners put seven goals past Peter Bosz’s side, as a consolation penalty from Noah Lang barely made a dent in the context of the reasons.
The Gunners became the first team to score as many in an away knockout game in the competition, as well as having six different scorers in the process. Martin Odegaard was the only one to have multiple strikes, as Arsenal made themselves the overwhelming favourites to reach the quarter-finals, as such a deficit has never been overturned in the past.
Many of their supporters expected a similar display away at Old Trafford at the weekend, but Arsenal could only muster a draw in a thrilling encounter of the two English giants. Manchester United took a surprise lead around half-time through a stunning Bruno Fernandez free-kick, only for Declan Rice to score the leveller to restore parity. With the title race more or less over, Arsenal will now focus on the Champions League.
Meanwhile, PSV Eindhoven did get a win at the weekend as they were able to overcome a Herenveen side to maintain their second spot in the Eredivisie table. Goals from Ismael Saibari and Guus Til proved enough as a second-half strike from Levi Smans proved a mere consolation for the visitors.
The Dutch side will now take some confidence heading to North London as they have a massive mountain to climb to reach the quarter-finals. While such a deficit has never been overturned, PSV could face another thrashing if they are to play in the way they did in Eindhoven, as Arsenal will thrive in conditions when the opposition attacks them at will.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta could use the massive advantage in the first leg as a big reason to make considerable changes to his squad and provide most of the key stars with some rest. He could change most positions, including handing Neto another Champions League start, with the Brazilian playing his only game so far in that away win at Girona on Matchday 8.
There are no fresh injury concerns from the trip to Old Trafford, which could see Arteta have a similar set of players available at his disposal. Ben White could start for the first time in months, while Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko could come into the lineup.
Jorginho could start, while Declan Rice could be afforded a rest, which could potentially allow Arteta to use Myles Lewis-Skelly in a midfield role. Gabriel Martinelli, who returned to the pitch after a considerable hamstring injury should stay on the bench, as Arteta could potentially use an experimental front three of Kieran Tierney, Mikel Merino and Raheem Sterling, thus allowing Leandro Trossard some rest.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Neto; Ben White, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Lewis-Skelly; Sterling, Merino, Tierney
PSV Eindhoven
Former Arsenal striker Lucas Perez remains ineligible to play in the UEFA Champions League, while PSV Eindhoven continue to miss the likes of Malik Tillman, Esmir Bajraktarevic and Ricardo Pepi.
Peter Bosz could ideally make a few changes from the team that faced Arsenal in Eindhoven, with the likes of Joey Veerman, Johan Bakayoko, Armando Obispo and Mauro Junior all likely to feature from the start for the visitors.
Veerman could join Jerdy Schouten in the central midfield pairing, while Obispo and Junior are likely to start in the backline for PSV. Bosz will persist with using Luuk De Jong as his main striker, supported by Til, Noah Lang and Bakayoko behind him in the attacking third.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Benitez; Ledezma, Flamingo, Obispo, Junior; Veerman, Schouten, Bakayoko, Til, Lang; de Jong
Key Stats
- Arsenal are undefeated in their last five home matches against PSV Eindhoven in all competitions.
- Arsenal are unbeaten in their last nine UEFA Champions League games at the Emirates.
- Arsenal have only three wins from their last seven games at the Emirates in all competitions.
- PSV Eindhoven have won only one of their last seven games away from home.
- PSV Eindhoven have lost three of their last four games across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Mikel Merino
The makeshit midfielder-turned-striker has done a good enough job so far in his new role given how demanding the position is. In any case, the upcoming game against PSV should serve as an opportunity to play with the handbrakes off, as the Spaniard can further develop himself in the temporary role.
Incidentally, Merino has three goals and two assists in four games in the role, as Arteta has liked his application there. With Arsenal likely to make wholesale changes for this clash at the Emirates, Merino might be one of those retained in the lineup, as the Spaniard has a good chance to develop his game and add to his impressive tally so far.
Prediction
Arsneal 2-1 PSV Enidhoven
The prediction for the previous game was off as nobody would have expected the game to end with the scoreline it did. The same goes for the second leg, as the chances of witnessing another goal-fest of that sort will seem unprecedented, as PSV will certainly try to make their presence felt.
Arsenal are expected to make considerable changes to their side, which would further dent the idea of another prolific showing. For Mikel Arteta, it is important to keep some bit of momentum in the UEFA Champions League, as the Gunners will win this clash to stretch their unbeaten run at home in this competition.
