Arsenal welcome PSV Eindhoven to the Emirate for their Champions League Group B opening match on Wednesday.
The match marks the return to the UEFA Champions League of both Arsenal and PSV after their absence from Europe’s elite competition.
It’s been six long years since the Gunners last competed in Europe’s premier club competition, but a stellar 2021/22 campaign saw Mikel Arteta’s side earn a long-awaited Champions League berth which somewhat softened the blow of their title lost to Manchester City.
PSV are also back in the big time after a four-season absence. They have had six different head coaches in that period including caretakers, with four runners-up finishes and one abandoned season in the Eredivisie since their last appearance in the Champions League. Having suffered three eliminations in the qualifiers over that period, the Dutch side saw off Rangers in August to reach the group stage once again.
This will be PSV’s 17th appearance in the competition, while Arsenal enjoyed 19 consecutive seasons in the Champions League from 1998 to 2017.
Both Arsenal and PSV are familiar foes having face-off in the Europa League last season, although PSV are much changed from the last time they met Mikel Arteta’s men.
Peter Bosz is now at the helm and his distinctive ideals have already become apparent in Eindhoven. They sit atop the Eredivisie having won four from four, but Arsenal, too, have enjoyed a productive start to the season which continued with a win at Everton on Sunday.
The excitement is palpable on the red side of north London and the Emirates will be rocking for PSV’s visit as supporters celebrate the Champions League’s return to the Emirate Stadium.
However, Bosz’s side will not make life easy for the Gunners, with their hectic style set to give Arteta”s men a couple of things to think about. PSV are a more dynamic unit compared to last season, and Bosz won’t deviate from the ideals which have brought about early success.
Prediction:
Obviously, this would be a cracking game – certainly more entertaining than the two meetings last term – with Arsenal’s attack finally clicking against a brave PSV backline. There will be goals, and the Gunners will be on the right side of the result.