Arsenal vs PSV Eindhoven, Return to the Champions League to Face Old Enemies

Arsenal won one game and lost one when they met PSV in last season's Europa League group stage (photo: Instagram @arsenal)

JAKARTA - Arsenal will return to the Champions League for the first time after being eliminated from this prestigious European event for more than six years. The latest match is when they host PSV Eindhoven, Tuesday 20 September or Wednesday 21 September early morning WIB.

The North London club returns to the Champions League for the first time since the 2016/17 season and repeats the meeting with PSV.

Arsenal won one game and lost one when they met PSV in the Europa League group stages last season. This season, both teams have punched their ticket to Europe's elite competition.

Now the Gunners enter this season's Champions League with luxurious capital because they have not been defeated in all competition matches this season. Because Mikel Arteta is trying to be able to compete at domestic and European level.

Arsenal are looking to overturn their most recent Champions League memories at the Emirates – after a 5-1 last-16 defeat to Bayern Munich, a few seasons ago.

Arsenal are currently in a much better position to compete, with a 1-0 win over Everton leaving them just two points behind reigning Champions League champions Manchester City in the Premier League.

However, there was bad news from Arsenal in this match because Gabriel Martinelli added to the home team's injury problems after suffering a hamstring problem against Everton last weekend.

Arsenal will also be without Thomas Partey due to a groin problem, while Jurrien Timber and Mohamed Elneny are long-term absentees.

Meanwhile, at PSV, Noa Lang is doubtful for his visit to England after being withdrawn after scoring in the 4-0 win against NEC Nijmegen in the Dutch League.

The Eredivisie side are already missing several players due to their own injuries, with defenders Armando Obispo, Fredrik Oppegard, and Mauro Junior all absent.

Former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke claims that Mikel Arteta will choose David Raya over Aaron Ramsdale in the match against Everton, because he is better at catching cross balls.

"I think Mikel Arteta wants to use both, he has two very good goalkeepers. I don't see much difference between the two if I'm honest," said Clarke.

"And I think he thought about this, he said he had some regrets about not changing his goalkeeper during the game," he added.

“One of the reasons why David Raya might play in this game is he is very good at catching crosses,” Clarke said of the goalkeeper.

Meanwhile, Luuk de Jong scored goals in all four qualifying matches in the Champions League for PSV this season. Not only has he scored five goals and provided two assists he has also scored in three of his last four appearances for PSV in this competition. This is what makes it worthy of Arsenal's anticipation.

From Arsenal striker  Gabriel Jesus scored on his UEFA Champions League debut for Man City in September 2017 against Feyenoord. He has scored at least four goals in his four campaigns in the competition (20 goals in 38 appearances overall).

Meanwhile Bukayo Saka has been directly involved in 12 goals in 18 appearances for Arsenal in European competition (five goals and seven assists), although nine of his goal involvements have come in away games.

In matches played at the Emirates Stadium, Saka has only one assist in six appearances for the club in European competitions.

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last eight UEFA Champions League group games, their longest run since a run of 17 between 2003 and 2006.

PSV on the other hand have not won their last 14 UEFA Champions League matches (D6 L8) since a 2-1 win over CSKA Moscow in December 2015. That is the longest match without a win among the 32 teams participating in this 2023-24 edition.

This is PSV's first appearance in the UEFA Champions League since 2018-19, and their 17th overall. They have played 110 games in the competition, second only to Ajax (140) among Dutch teams.

Arsenal on the other hand have progressed to the first group stage in their last 17 UEFA Champions League appearances. They last failed to do so in 1999–00, and then lost that season's Europa League final against Galatasaray on penalties.

This will be Arsenal's 20th season participating in the UEFA Champions League. In the previous 19 seasons all were done consecutively between 1998-99 and 2016-17.

However PSV was the only team to beat Arsenal in the UEFA Europa League last season, winning 2-0 at home. They have not won in four previous visits to Arsenal in all competitions (D2, L2), with just four goals scored in total in these games (3 for Arsenal, 1 for PSV).

Who will win? It looks like the hosts have a better chance.