Preview: PSV Eindhoven vs. Arsenal - prediction, team news, lineups

The Gunners hold a five-point lead over their second-placed Dutch counterparts, who could be left to battle for second place without a satisfactory result here.

Match preview

While Xavi Simons in particular showed glimpses of his exciting potential at the Emirates, PSV never really got going against Arsenal at their North London headquarters, and Ruud van Nistelrooy would have been relieved to see the Gunners win by just the one goal.

Granit Xhaka's first-ever right-footed goal for the club separated the two sides in the 70th minute of the match, meaning that PSV can only top Group A in an exceptional set of circumstances - winning each of their final two games versus Arsenal and Bodo/Glimt while also hoping that Mikel Arteta's side slip up at home to FC Zurich on the final matchday.

A place in the knockout round playoffs should now be the goal for Van Nistelrooy's side, who could guarantee a second-placed finish with a point if the scoreline in Bodo/Glimt's clash with Zurich goes their way, but the Dutch powerhouses did not warm up for this game in ideal fashion.

PSV's away day misfortunes carried over into the Eredivisie as they lost 4-2 to Groningen at the weekend, but their formula for success at the Philips Stadion has seen the hosts win five and draw one of their last six in front of their own fans in all tournaments.

The Boeren have also scored in each of their last 10 Europa League matches at their headquarters, although they will need to improve on their paltry tally of just four shots at the Emirates - their lowest in a continental game since 2016 - to throw the cat amongst the pigeons.

Arsenal struggling to kill games off while a goal to the good is nothing new, and that lack of ruthlessness cost the Gunners dear during their trip to Southampton, who limited Arteta's men to just one strike before hitting back to claim a well-earned draw.

Xhaka followed up his goal against PSV with another lethal volley into the roof of the net - with his right foot again, no less - but a fatigued Arsenal side were undone by a Stuart Armstrong equaliser in the second half as their lead at the top was cut down to two points.

Having also struggled to assert their dominance in 1-0 wins over Bodo/Glimt and Leeds United, that result was arguably coming for Arsenal, who can rest easy in the knowledge that they are already guaranteed to finish in the top two of Group A and need only draw in the Netherlands to finish top.

That 1-1 at St Mary's did at least extend Arsenal's unbeaten run to nine matches in all competitions, and the North London giants have made the net ripple in each of their last 16 Europa League fixtures away from home, but a hint of apprehension may be creeping in as the unforgiving fixture schedule rears its ugly head.

Arsenal have failed to win on their last two visits to PSV Eindhoven's turf - losing 1-0 in the last-16 2006-07 Champions League after playing out a 1-1 draw in 2004-05 - and one can only hope that football takes centre stage rather than a repeat of the fan disorder which marred last week's Emirates clash.

PSV Eindhoven Europa League form:

D

W

W

L

PSV Eindhoven form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

L

L

Arsenal Europa League form:

W

W

W

W

Arsenal form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

W

D

Team News

PSV did receive a wealth of fitness boosts prior to last week's defeat to Arsenal, as Noni Madueke, Mauro Junior and Luuk de Jong were all passed fit to make the journey, but the latter still needs to build up his fitness and may watch Guus Til continue to lead the line for now.

Madueke should not be considered for a start just yet either having missed a number of months with an ankle injury, and Van Nistelrooy remains without Yorbe Vertessen (muscle), Marco van Ginkel (hamstring), Ismael Saibari (muscle), Kjell Peersman (back) and Olivier Boscagli (knee) for the visit of the Gunners.

Changes will surely be afoot following the weekend's disappointment, with Erick Gutierrez and Phillipp Mwene in line to return, and the former's inclusion should see Xavi Simons pushed further forward to demote Anwar El Ghazi to the bench.

As for Arsenal, Mohamed Elneny and Emile Smith Rowe are still sidelined with their hamstring and groin injuries, although Oleksandr Zinchenko is edging closer to his return from a calf problem.

Arteta has spoken about the importance of his side securing a first-placed finish in the group and will be expected to go strong here, but Matt Turner, Kieran Tierney, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Fabio Vieira and Rob Holding can still feel confident of earning recalls.

Xhaka is one yellow card away from incurring a European ban, and it would arguably be ideal for the Switzerland captain - who could make his 50th Europa League appearance - to be cautioned this week and in turn serve that suspension in the final group game.

PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:

Benitez; Mwene, Ramalho, Obispo, Max; Veerman, Sangare, Gutierrez; Simons, Til, Gakpo

Arsenal possible starting lineup:

Turner; Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Xhaka, Lokonga; Saka, Vieira, Martinelli; Nketiah

We say: PSV Eindhoven 1-1 Arsenal

Whether it was the intimidating Emirates atmosphere or fear of committing too many bodies forwards against a free-flowing Arsenal, PSV's attacking prowess was non-existent last week, but it should be a different story at their Philips Stadion fortress.

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