PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal – Champions League match preview and team news | OneFootball

Arsenal travel to PSV Eindhoven for the first leg of their Uefa Champions League round of 16 tie on Tuesday night.

Having not played at the weekend, the Gunners received some brief respite from the hectic schedule, allowing their squad to recuperate ahead of the trip to the Netherlands. However, Mikel Arteta isn’t expected to welcome any individuals back from injury.

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are projected to return after the March international break. Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus’ seasons are over. Myles Lewis-Skelly is back at Arteta’s disposal after being suspended against Nottingham Forest last Wednesday.

PSV will be without two of their most influential players for the visit of Arsenal. Malik Tillman has been unavailable since the start of the calendar year, while top goal scorer Ricardo Pepi is unlikely to feature again this campaign. The American marksman recorded a brace against Liverpool before suffering a knee injury that required surgery.

Brazilian left-back Mauro Junior will be assessed after missing the last two games through illness. If the 25-year-old isn’t cleared to play, Manchester United loanee Tyrell Malacia is the best suited candidate to deputise.

PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news

Form

PSV: LDWLL

PSV were in action on the weekend as they fell to a 3-2 defeat away to Go Ahead Eagles. It was the second time in a matter of the days that Peter Bosz’s side had been defeated by the Eagles. The first occasion saw Eindhoven crash out of the KNVB Cup following an underwhelming home display.

PSV earned their place amongst the last 16 of the Champions League by beating Juventus over two legs in the play-offs. Centre-half Ryan Flamingo netted the winner in extra time to secure their spot in the knockout stages of Europe’s elite competition for successive seasons.

This prosperous period has been welcomed with open arms at the Philips Stadion following eight seasons without escaping the group stage.

Read – Arsenal predicted XI vs PSV ahead of Champions League clash

Arsenal: WLWLD

Arsenal’s recent injury crisis has rendered their attacking prowess blunt and ineffective. The Gunners failed to breach their opponent’s net for successive matches as they drew blanks against West Ham and Nottingham Forest.

It was a tepid affair at the City Ground last midweek and the goalless draw reflected the mundane proceedings. Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori was Arsenal’s most dangerous goal threat on the night, with makeshift centre forward Mikel Merino not having the desired impact. But Mikel Arteta has no choice but to persist with a similar frontline in the Netherlands tonight.

The North Londoners’ foundation of success in Europe this season has been their defensive solidity. They have only conceded three times in eight continental clashes this term, which all occurred on their travels.

Last Meeting

PSV Eindhoven 1-1 Arsenal, Champions League, 12th December 2023

The two teams last met in the final group stage game of last year’s competition with Arsenal already through as group winners. PSV still had plenty to fight for as they required a point to guarantee their qualification into the knockout stages.

The hosts flew out of the traps and immediately caused issues for the Arsenal backline. Brave goalkeeping from Aaron Ramsdale found him in the right position to block Ricardo Pepi’s shot from close quarters. The woodwork then came to the visitors’ rescue as Yorbe Vertessen hit the post with a powerful header.

A heavily rotated Arsenal outfit began to find some rhythm in Eindhoven. It was their turn to be denied by the post with Mohamed Elneny’s powerful, long-range drive grazing the upright.

Two Hale End graduates combined to give the Gunners the lead just before the break. Reiss Nelson found Eddie Nketiah, who precisely picked out the bottom corner.

PSV came out for the second half with a renewed sense of impetus. Moments after pulling an effort just wide, Vertessen restored parity with a sumptuous attempt. The Belgian curled the ball onto the post and bounce into the opposite side netting.

The frame of the goal continued to be the villain of the piece for PSV. Ismael Saibari wriggled free of Declan Rice’s attention, but his resulting shot deflected off the midfielder and onto the post again.

Jakub Kiwior nodded the ball into the net with ten minutes remaining only for the goal to be ruled out. Replays suggested Gabriel had interfered following occupying an offside position.

Leandro Trossard almost snatched the victory in the dying embers of the contest only for Walter Benitez to deny him. The Argentine was the hero for PSV as that stop virtually saved them from elimination.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at the Philips Stadion will be at 20:00 GMT on Tuesday, 4 March 2025.

Who is the referee?

Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano will be the match official. Diego Barbero and Angel Nevado will assist him while Guillermo Cuadra will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Carlos del Cerro Grande and he will be assisted by Christian Dingert.

Read – Andrea Berti’s best signings as Arsenal close in on director

Predicted Line-ups

PSV XI: Benitez, Ledezma, Flamingo, Boscagli, Junior; Saibari, Veerman; Perisic, Til, Lang, de Jong.

Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Partey; Nwaneri, Odegaard, Trossard, Merino.

What TV channel will PSV vs Arsenal be on?

The first leg of PSV vs Arsenal will be shown on Amazon Prime Video in the UK.

PSV vs Arsenal betting odds

PSV: 3/1

Draw: 13/5

Arsenal: 1/1

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