Arsenal vs PSV Eindhoven tips: Gunners can make a triumphant Champions League return
- Robbie Savage
- 19 September 2023
Planet Sport's Robbie Savage believes Arsenal will make a winning start to their Champions League campaign in a high scoring affair.
I’ve been very impressed with Arsenal this season under Mikel Arteta. Once again, good recruitment, players playing well. Declan Rice - what a signing he’s been.
But PSV are scoring goals. They’re scoring goals for fun. They’ve got 27 goals in their last eight games, 13 in their last three.
I think there’ll be goals but for me, home advantage will count in this one. Both teams to score and a 3-1 Arsenal win.
Robbie’s Pick: Arsenal 3-1 PSV Eindhoven
Arsenal vs PSV team news
An injury to Gabriel Martinelli means Saturday’s hero, Leandro Trossard, could join Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus in attack, who is expected to replace Eddie Nketiah.
Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny remain on the sidelines so Fabio Viera’s performance at the weekend should see him continue alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in midfield.
Aaron Ramsdale should return between the sticks while Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kai Havertz will be hoping to play more than a bit-part role.
As per usual, PSV’s squad has been decimated over the summer. They’ve managed to secure a new-look front three in the form of Hirving Lozano, Ricardo Pepi and Noa Lang.
Armel Bella-Kotchap and Sergino Dest have arrived on loan and should start in defence after being withdrawn early at the weekend.
In-form Luuk De Jong is expected to lead the line for the visitors with Johan Bakayoko wide to his right and one of Guus Til or Ismael Saibari in behind.
Key stats
- PSV have scored 27 goals in eight games, and 13 in their last three
- PSV thrashed Rangers 7-3 on aggregate to qualify for the group stages
- In eight meetings between the two clubs, Arsenal have only lost twice
- Arsenal are unbeaten in the Premier League and unbeaten in last four competitive games at home
- PSV are unbeaten in the Eredivisie, winning all four games
- PSV haven't lost in 26 competitive games, all the way back in February when they lost 3-0 to Sevilla in the Europa League.
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Arsenal will begin their Champions League campaign with a home game against Dutch runners-up PSV less than 12 months after their last meeting.
Their gritty 1-0 win over Everton means they are unbeaten in their first five matches and have the joint second-best defence in the Premier League.
The Gunners have arguably done enough to secure maximum points so far, but blunders in the 1st and 87th minutes gifted 10-man Fulham a 2-2 draw.
PSV’s reward for dispatching Rangers is a tough-looking group with Arsenal, Sevilla and the rapidly rising French qualifiers RC Lens.
Peter Bosz’s side recorded a 2-0 home win over Arteta’s men last October, just one week after losing 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
Cody Gakpo, Jarrad Branthwaite, Ibrahim Sangare, Noni Madueke and Xavi Simons all played in the 2-0 victory but are now plying their trade in the Premier League or Bundesliga.
PSV’s model is heavily reliant on a high turnover of developed talent but as per usual, the Rood-witten have started their season well.
In addition to beating Rangers 7-3 on aggregate, they also thrashed Sturm Graz 7-2 over two legs and beat Feyenoord in the Supercup while claiming maximum points in the league.
This is the visitor's first appearance in the Champions League since 2019 when they were beaten 2-1 by Tottenham, while Arsenal haven’t featured since a humbling 10-2 aggregate loss to Bayern Munich in 2017.
The home side were at the peak of their form when they played PSV twice last season and found it incredibly hard to break the lines in both matches.
We expect Arsenal to dominate possession on Wednesday evening but find it a little easier to break through again a new-look squad that lacks the midfield bite of a year ago.
