Arsenal vs PSV Eindhoven preview, team news and predicted score

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Arsenal will finally mark their return to the Champions League when we welcome PSV Eindhoven to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

It’s been over six years since Arsenal fans last tasted Champions League football so it’s fair to say the supporters cannot wait to hear that famous music again just before kick-off. The last time we graced this competition, Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal slumped to a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the last-16 back in 2016/17. That humiliating result in London came off the back of an identical 5-1 defeat in Munich in the first leg, so Arsenal were thrashed 10-2 over the two-legged tie.

That was Wenger’s final season in charge and since 2017 we’ve had to make do with Europa League football – and even no European football at all on one occasion! However, the club has been transformed under the leadership of Mikel Arteta and after finishing second in the Premier League last season, Arsenal are finally back in Europe’s elite competition.

We’ve been drawn in Group B alongside PSV, Lens and Sevilla. Many say it was a lucky group, and obviously we were fortunate to avoid all the big boys from Pot 1, but all three of the clubs we’ll face in the group stages are competent and capable of giving Arsenal a good game, so we cannot be complement.

Arsenal should know that very well when we face PSV as they beat us 2-1 on aggregate the last time we met in the Champions League back in 2007. They also beat us in the Europa League group stages last season. After winning 1-0 in the home game at the Emirates, PSV won 2-0 at the Phillips Stadion so we cannot take this task too lightly.

Arteta’s men have made a solid start to the new Premier League season so come into the game in confident mood. We’ve picked up victories over Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Man Utd and most recently, Everton. Leandro Trossard’s goal was enough to claim all three points at Goodison Park on Sunday to secure a hard fought win. A frustrating 2-2 draw with Fulham has been the only blip so far. 13 points from a possible 15 is still a very good return and Arteta will now want to transfer that form to the Champions League when we entertain PSV on Wednesday night.

The Dutch outfit head to London to play in the Champions League for the first time since 2019. They booked their place with a 7-3 aggregate win over Rangers in the final play-off round. PSV are unbeaten in their last 26 competitive matches after thrashing NEC 4-0 at the weekend to move top of the league table, so they came into the game in excellent form.

How to watch

The game will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 2, kicking off at 8pm on Wednesday night. Subscribers can watch it on their sky box or virgin media box, or stream the match via Discovery+.

60,000 fans also have the opportunity to watch the game live at the Emirates Stadium. You can still buy Champions League tickets at Seatsnet.com but demand for this game is high so act fast if you want to secure your ticket.

Team news

Arsenal will need to assess Gabriel Martinelli’s fitness after the Brazilian international limped off during the 1-0 win over Everton at the weekend. Martinelli thought he had opened the scoring mid-way through the first half but the goal was ruled out for offside in the build-up. To make matters worse, the attacker injured himself during the play and had to be replaced by Trossard.

Arteta says Martinelli will need to be assessed to determine the full extent of the issue but it’s a hamstring injury so he’s likely to miss the PSV game. Arsenal aren’t expected to take any chances with the 22-year-old, especially with the North London Derby against Tottenham coming up on Sunday.

Thomas Partey is also unavailable as he’s still recovering from a groin injury that he picked up before the international break. Partey isn’t expected to return until later in October so he’s set to miss a number of games.

Mohamed Elneny is still working his way back to full fitness from a serious injury that he sustained back in January. Summer signing Jurrien Timber is also facing an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering an ACL injury on his Premier League debut in August. Timber will be out for at least six months, which is a huge blow for Arsenal. Otherwise, Arteta has no other injury concerns to worry about.

PSV could be without Nao Lang after he picked up an injury at the weekend. Hirving Lozano could therefore be recalled after being on the bench last time out. Armando Obispo, Fredrik Oppegard, and Mauro Junior are out of the trip to London due to injury issues.

Line-ups

Arteta could freshen things up for this match. Aaron Ramsdale could be recalled after being dropped at the weekend. David Raya may return to the bench. Takehiro Tomiyasu is likely to get a start in defence while Jacub Kiwior is another option for Arsenal.

Kai Havertz is pushing for a recall after being dropped to the bench against Everton – although Fabio Vieira will hope he did enough to keep his place in midfield. Trossard is expected to start on the left side of attack after scoring the winner on Sunday.

Gabriel Jesus is also set to be recalled after getting another 30 minutes under his belt at the weekend. Eddie Nketiah is expected to drop out with Bukayo Saka keeping his place on the right wing. Declan Rice will get his first taste of Champions League football after his big money summer move from West Ham and he should keep his place in the holding midfield role.

Likely Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Rice, Vieira; Saka, Jesus, Trossard

Likely PSV XI: Benitez; Teze, Ramalho, Bella-Kotchap, Dest; Schouten, Veerman; Bakayoko, Saibari, Lozano; De Jong

Prediction

Arsenal 2-0 PSV: It’s amazing to be back in the Champions League and it’s important we start with a win to establish ourselves as favourites in Group B. However, we cannot be complacent against a decent PSV side.

We have been sloppy in defence at home in the league in recent months and have given away too many cheap goal. But if we cut out the silly mistakes, we should be able to keep PSV at bay. With the quality Arsenal have in attack and the options from the bench, we should have too much for the Dutch outfit so I’m predicting a 2-0 win.

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