The Emirates Stadium will have Champions League football back on Wednesday when Arsenal welcome Dutch side PSV Eindhoven for matchday one of Group B action, with kickoff slated for 19:00GMT.
Key Highlights
Arsenal’s Unbeaten Start to the Premier League Season
Mikel Arteta will look to open Group B action with a win in front of the home supporters at the Emirates.
The Gunners are unbeaten in their opening four matches. They have won three times and drawn once in this run. They have scored eight goals and conceded four times in the process.
Arsenal opened their season with a 2-1 home triumph over Nottingham Forest before winning narrowly 0-1 away to Crystal Palace. They were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Fulham before bouncing back to their winning ways with a 3-1 home win over rivals Manchester United.
Mikel Arteta will look to translate their stellar domestic form into their start of the Champions League group campaign. He will expect his side to keep their identity, build up play patiently, dominate the ball, press high up the pitch, and attack in a fluid and dynamic way.
PSV’s 100% Start to the Season in the Eredivisie
PSV have played three times in the Eredivisie and have won all three matches. They have scored 9 goals and conceded just once. They have kept two clean sheets in this run, highlighting their solidity at the back.
Bet herePeter Bosz will look to get his side tactically ready for the match against Arsenal at the Emirates. Although PSV like attacking, they will need to ensure that they have solidity against a potent Arsenal attack at the Emirates.
The need for pressing high up the pitch will have to be countered by the need to have cover for the instances Arsenal will escape the press and move the ball quickly behind the Dutch side’s defense.
With their three players in the middle, wide players, and Luuk de Jong through the middle, Peter Bosz has found a balance that can keep the ball in the middle of the pack and transition it to the attacking phase quickly by moving it out wide or through the middle.
However, the game against Arsenal will be hallmarked by a ferocious press from the Gunners, which will not allow the Dutch side time on the ball to work the ball to the attacking phase patiently.
Peter Bosz will employ a medium press to ensure his side retains their compactness and their shape when out of possession and can drive into attack in transitions.
Injury Report
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta will be without the services of new signing Jurrien Timber for the clash against PSV. The 22-year-old is recovering from a cruciate ligament rupture that is expected to leave him for a prolonged period.
Arsenal are also without defensive midfielder Mohamed Elneny, who is sidelined with a knee injury.
PSV
Peter Bosz will be without left-back Mauro Junior (knee), center-back Armando Obispo (knee), left-back Fredrik Oppegard (surgery), and right-back Jordan Teze (knock) for the trip to Arsenal.
Possible Lineups
Arsenal
A. Ramsdale; B. White, W. Saliba, Gabriel, O. Zinchenko; M. Odegaard, D. Rice, K. Havertz; B. Saka, E. Nketiah, G. Martinelli
PSV
W. Benitez; P. van Aanholt, J. Schouten, A. Ramahlo, S. Dest; J. Veerman, G. Til; N. Lang, I. Saibari, J. Bakayoko; L. de Jong
Prediction
Arsenal will start fast and play on the front foot from the first whistle. They will dominate the ball and press high up the pitch.
PSV will employ a medium press and adopt a pragmatic approach to contain Arsenal’s threat and attack in transitions.
Arsenal will win the match and get off to a winning start.
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