PSV Eindhoven Vs. Arsenal Prediction: The Gunner Seriously Sets The Remaining Cup Target

Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal's mainstay left wing (photo: x @Arsenal)

JAKARTA - Two European giants met again in the Champions League, when PSV Eindhoven hosted Arsenal at the Philips Stadium on Tuesday 5 March or Wednesday morning WIB, in the first leg of the last 16. The Gunners qualified for the knockout phase thanks to finishing third in the league phase, while PSV had to get rid of Juventus in the playoffs to step into this stage.

Arsenal's difficult season has made them increasingly focused on the European event as the best chance to win trophies. After a dramatic victory over Leicester City thanks to Mikel Merino's two goals, Mikel Arteta's team actually experienced two goalsless matches against West Ham United and Nottingham Forest. As Liverpool deepened at the top of the Premier League standings, Arsenal now had to struggle to secure the top four while facing big challenges in the Champions League.

In the group stage, Arsenal impressed where only Barcelona and Liverpool outperformed them in points. Now, the Gunners are aiming for a record five consecutive wins in a single Champions League edition, something they last achieved in the 2005-06 season, before losing Barcelona in the final.

However, Arsenal's attack line is crippled by the absence of four key players, so they have to rely on defense force. Statistics prove that the Gunners conceded only an average of 0.73 Expected Goals (xG) per game in the Champions League this season, the best number among all participants.

On the other hand, PSV Eindhoven showed contrasting performance. Peter Bosz's side recorded only one clean sheet in 10 Champions League games this season, despite successfully eliminating Juventus in the playoffs with a 4-3 aggregate win. Ryan Flamingo became a hero with a goal in extra time that ensured a ticket to the last 16.

Unfortunately, the dramatic victory over Juventus is not a turning point for PSV. Instead, they suffered two surprising defeats against Go Ahead Eagles in the KNVB and Eredivisie Cups. The series of poor results made Ajax likely to stay away at the top of the domestic league standings.

PSV juga memiliki rekor buruk dalam bertahan, hanya mencatat satu clean sheet dalam 14 pertandingan terakhir, serta kebosonan lebih dari satu gol dalam 11 di antaranya. Namun, tim asal Belanda ini memiliki rekor pendang yang baik melawan Arsenal, tidak terdekasi dalam empat pertemuan terakhir di Eindhoven sejak kekalahan terakhir mereka pada 2002.

Arsenal are still without several key players, including Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus, who all suffered muscle injuries. In addition, Takehiro Tomiyasu is also still in the process of recovering from a knee injury. However, they regained Myles Lewis-Skelly from a ban on playing in domestic competitions, and are likely to replace Riccardo Calafiori who briefly appeared against Nottingham Forest before being withdrawn.

Young player Ethan Nwaneri is confirmed to be the starter, making him the third England player after Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden who appeared in the knockout stages of the Champions League before the age of 18.

PSV juga memiliki masalah cedera, terutama di lini serangan. Malik Tillman, Ricardo Pepi, dan Esmir Bajraktarevic dipastikan waktu. Selain itu, bek kiri Mauro Junior douga tampil akibat cedera tulang. Untuk memutupi kekurangan lini depan, PSV sempat merek Lucas Perez sebagai pemain bebas transfer, namun ia tidak dapat dimainkan di Liga Champions.

PSV captain Luuk de Jong will list the 50th match in the Champions League, the fifth Dutch striker to achieve this feat after Robin van Persie, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Patrick Kluivert, and Roy Makay.

This match is predicted to be tight with Arsenal relying on solid defense against PSV's aggressive attack line. With a strong home record, PSV hopes to achieve positive results before traveling to Emirates Stadium in the second leg.

Estimated Lineup Of Players

PSV Eindhoven:Benitez; Ledezma, Flamingo, Boscagli, Malacia;men, Schouten; Bakayoko, Saibari, Lang; De Jong.

Arsenal:Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard.