Champions League's Preview : Arsenal and PSV Make a Comeback

 

The return of Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven to the UEFA Champions League after extended absences is significant

Arsenal last entered the Champions League in 2016-17, facing a humbling defeat by Bayern Munich. Since then, they've seen managerial changes, with Mikel Arteta striving for success.

PSV returns after a four-season absence, marked by multiple head coaches and Eredivisie performances. They overcame eliminations to reach the group stage, their 17th appearance.

While Arsenal had a lengthy Champions League history, they've yet to win it. This marks their 20th qualification, tying with Olympiakos.

Arsenal's lineup has evolved, with no survivors from their last Champions League outing. PSV's Luuk de Jong is the sole player who featured in their 2018-19 campaign.

Arsenal looks to Gabriel Jesus, with 20 UCL goals, and Kai Havertz, a 2021 winner with Chelsea. PSV counts on De Jong, who excelled against Tottenham.

Arsenal and PSV met last season in the Europa League group stage, with one win each. Both advanced to the knockouts, but PSV was ousted by Sevilla, who shares Group B with them this season. Arsenal was eliminated by Sporting CP.

The upcoming match promises to be closely contested, with just nine goals in the last seven meetings.

PSV starts impressively, winning eight of their first nine season matches. Arsenal, though unconvincing, secured 13 points in five Premier League games.

In a challenging group with Sevilla and Lens, a strong start is crucial. Arsenal faces Spurs after the Champions League match needing focus. PSV sees this as a tough match, with Arsenal's home susceptibility a potential advantage.

Regarding head-to-head history, Arsenal's home games against PSV have been low-scoring, with only four goals in four matches in north London.

They've been drawn against each other thrice in the Champions League before, with Arsenal winning one and drawing one in both the 2002-03 and 2004-05 group stages. PSV eliminated Arsenal in the last 16 in 2006-07.

They also clashed in the UEFA Europa League last season, with PSV winning 2-0 in the reverse fixture, avenging their 1-0 loss at the Emirates. PSV was the only team to beat Arsenal in that Europa League.

However, Arsenal scored just three goals in four home matches against PSV in European competition, with two being own goals by Alex, playing for PSV.

Recent Form shows Arsenal's struggle with clean sheets at the Emirates but solid European home defense. PSV hasn't kept a clean sheet in eight European away matches but did against Leicester City in England in the 2021-22 UEFA Europa Conference League.

Both teams have showcased goal-scoring abilities, with PSV scoring 14 goals in their Champions League qualifying matches this season, while Arsenal has only failed to score in one of their last 15 Emirates matches, tallying 61 goals.