Arsenal will be able to enjoy Matchday 6 of the Champions League away at PSV Eindhoven knowing they’ve already progressed into the knockout stages as Group B winners.
The Gunners secured their knockout berth with an emphatic 6-0 beatdown of RC Lens two weeks ago.
As a result, Mikel Arteta is expected to give the fringe players of his squad a run-out on Tuesday evening given the hectic nature of Arsenal’s schedule over Christmas. Still, the boss will be hoping for a response after his side were beaten by Aston Villa at the weekend.
PSV are in line to join the Premier League club in the round of 16 despite their campaign kicking off with a 4-0 defeat at the Emirates. Their dramatic 3-2 win at Sevilla means merely a point on Tuesday will guarantee their place in the knockouts. Peter Bosz’s side have been imperious in the Eredivisie so far this season, winning all 15 games while boasting a remarkable +46 goal difference.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Tuesday’s Champions League encounter.
PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal H2H Record (Last Five Games)
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PSV should be well-rested heading into this one given that they last played on Thursday. Thus, Bosz could name an unchanged XI on Tuesday evening.
The Dutch boss is without Hirving Lozano due to a suspension, while Noa Lang, who was the only shining light in the reverse fixture, is likely to miss out. Southampton loanee Armel Bella-Kotchap is also a doubt.
PSV predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-3-3): Benitez; Dest, Silva, Boscagli, Van Aanholt; Veerman, Til, Saibari; Bakayoko, De Jong, Tillman.
Arteta is likely to make several changes to his starting XI in midweek given Arsenal’s status in the group.
While we’re unlikely to see a new side entirely from Saturday’s defeat at Villa Park, the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Jakub Kiwior, Jorginho, Reiss Nelson, Leandro Trossard, and Eddie Nketiah should get rotated into the team.
Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jurrien Timber, and Thomas Partey all remain out for the visitors, though Emile Smith Rowe has returned to training.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are unlikely to feature at all after sitting out Arsenal’s final training session.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs PSV (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Walters, White, Gabriel, Kiwior; Jorginho, Odegaard, Havertz; Nelson, Nketiah, Trossard.
Arsenal took advantage of Bosz’s overly aggressive style in the reverse fixture, but they likely won’t have the personnel to capitalise on Tuesday evening.
While the Gunners’ defeat at the weekend makes them more dangerous heading into this fixture, it’s hard to envisage a second string side overcoming an effusive PSV outfit in a raucous Philips Stadion.
The visitors succumbed at this stadium in the Europa League last season, and it could be a similar story for Arteta’s men in this fixture.
Prediction: PSV Eindhoven 3-1 Arsenal
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