Arsenal boarded an aircraft to the Netherlands on Thursday evening to take on PSV Eindhoven, needing just a point to clinch the top position in Europa League Group A with one game still to play.
The Gunners now have a five-point advantage over their Dutch opponents, who are currently in the second position. If the Dutch are unable to get a win today, they will likely be forced to fight for second place.
Our Match Preview: PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal
PSV never really got going against Arsenal at their North London headquarters, and Ruud van Nistelrooy would have been relieved by the Gunners’ 1-0 triumph.
Granit Xhaka’s first right-footed goal for the club separated the two sides in the 70th minute, meaning PSV can only top Group A in exceptional circumstances – winning each of their final two games against Arsenal and Bodo/Glimt while also hoping Mikel Arteta’s side slips up at home to FC Zurich on the final matchday.
Van Nistelrooy’s team can ensure second place with a point if Bodo/Glimt beats Zurich, although they did not warm up well for this game.
PSV’s away day woes spilled over into the Eredivisie when they fell 4-2 to Groningen, although they’ve won five of their past six in front of their home supporters in all competitions.
The Boeren has scored in each of their previous 10 Europa League home matches, but they’ll need to improve on their pitiful four shots against the Emirates, their lowest in a European game since 2016.
Arsenal’s inability to kill off games while up is nothing new, and it cost them against Southampton, who held them to one goal before drawing.
Xhaka backed up his goal against PSV with another powerful right-footed volley, but a tiring Arsenal team was undone by a Stuart Armstrong equalizer in the second half, cutting their advantage to two points.
Arsenal had previously struggled to exert their control in a 1-0 victory against Bodo/Glimt and Leeds United. They are already certain to place in the top two of Group A and need just a draw in the Netherlands to finish first.
Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Southampton extended their undefeated run to nine matches in all competitions, and they’ve scored in each of their previous 16 Europa League away encounters, but concern may be seeping in as the brutal fixture calendar looms.
Arsenal has failed to win on their past two trips to PSV Eindhoven’s soil, losing 1-0 in the 2006-07 Champions League and drawing 1-1 in 2004-05. One can only hope that football takes center stage rather than crowd unrest, which marred last week’s Emirates encounter.
Our Team News: PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal
PSV did receive a wealth of fitness boosts before last week’s loss to Arsenal, as Noni Madueke, Mauro Junior, and Luuk de Jong were all passed fit to make the journey. However, Luuk de Jong still needs to build up his fitness, and Guus Til may continue to lead the line for the time being.
Madueke should not be considered for a start just yet either after missing several months with an ankle injury, and Van Nistelrooy continues to be without Yorbe Vertessen (muscle), Marco van Ginkel (hamstring), Ismael Saibari (muscle), Kjell Peersman (back), and Olivier Boscagli (knee) for the visit of the Gunners. Madueke missed several months
Following the disappointing results from the previous weekend, adjustments are almost certain to be made. Erick Gutierrez and Phillipp Mwene are candidates to make a comeback, and the former’s inclusion should result in Xavi Simons playing a more advanced position, pushing Anwar El Ghazi to the bench.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is getting closer to returning from a calf injury, while Mohamed Elneny and Emile Smith Rowe are still unable to play for Arsenal due to their respective hamstring and groin problems. However, Oleksandr Zinchenko is inching closer to a comeback.
Arteta has mentioned how important it is for his team to finish in the first position in the group, and while they will be expected to play well here, Matt Turner, Kieran Tierney, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Fabio Vieira, and Rob Holding may still have hope of being recalled.
Xhaka is one yellow card away from incurring a European ban, and it would arguably be ideal for the Switzerland captain – who could make his 50th Europa League appearance – to be cautioned this week and then serve that suspension in the final group game.
Xhaka is one yellow card away from incurring a European ban. Xhaka is one yellow card away from incurring a European ban.
- PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup: Benitez, Mwene, Ramalho, Obispo, Max, Veerman, Sangare, Gutierrez, Simons, Til, Gakpo.
- Arsenal possible starting lineup: Turner, Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Xhaka, Lokonga, Saka, Vieira, Martinelli, Nketiah.
Our Prediction: PSV Eindhoven 1-1 Arsenal
Whether it was the intimidating environment at Emirates Stadium or the concern of committing too many people up front against a free-flowing Arsenal, PSV’s offensive flair was non-existent last week; but it should be a different story when they return to their stronghold at the Philips Stadion.
We find it difficult to back a retooled Arsenal team to win all three points here given their string of recent failures to convert their dominance into goals. However, Arteta’s men should be able to hang on for the draw they need to secure their place in the round of 16, which will guarantee them a spot in the knockout round.
