UEFA Europa League - Rangers v Real Betis
Sep 22When and where to watch PSV vs Arsenal
PSV vs Arsenal kicks off at 5.45pm on Thursday 27 October.
You can catch all the action from the Emirates from 5.30pm on BT Sport 2, or online via our live stream.
PSV vs Arsenal match preview
Arsenal can secure top spot in Group A with a point against PSV on Thursday night, although the aim will be to maintain their 100% record in the Europa League so far.
Qualification for the knockout stages was confirmed with a 1-0 win over the Dutch side at the Emirates last week, so Mikel Arteta may see this week’s game as an opportunity to rest key players after a busy period.
The Gunners’ impressive run of four straight league wins came to an end at the weekend as Stuart Armstrong swept home for Southampton to cancel out Granit Xhaka’s opener at St Mary’s.
There appeared to be some tired legs in the Arsenal camp in the second half of that game, an indication perhaps of the toll an extended Europa League campaign could take.
But Arteta now has increased depth and a chance, in the final two group matches, to give minutes to youngsters and players on the periphery.
For PSV, a win is needed to secure qualification from the group, although a three-point lead over Bodo/Glimt means Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side are clear favourites to take second spot.
A second defeat to Arsenal could make things nervy for the Eredivisie team, though, with a trip to Norway on the final matchday of the group stages.
The stakes are certainly higher for PSV, then, but the Gunners will want to continue their momentum and guarantee first place before playing Zurich at the Emirates.
PSV vs Arsenal predicted teams
PSV: Benitez; Mwene, Ramalho, Obispo, Max, Gutierrez, Veerman, Sangare, Simons, Til, Gakpo
Arsenal: Turner; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney, Saka, Xhaka, Odegaard, Partey, Nketiah, Martinelli.
PSV vs Arsenal: Injuries and suspensions
PSV are without Yorbe Vertessen, Marco van Ginkel, Ismael Saibari, Kjell Peersman and Olivier Boscagli, all injured.
Striker Luuk de Jong has recently returned to fitness but is unlikely to start on Thursday night, with Guus Til expected to lead the line.
Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny, Emile Smith Rowe and Oleksandr Zinchenko are all out through injury, though the latter is believed to be close to a return.
Arteta will probably rotate heavily, with the likes of Matt Turner, Fabio Vieira and Rob Holding likely to be brought into the starting XI.
Form (last 6 matches)
PSV - WWWWLL
Arsenal - WWWWWD
PSV vs Arsenal: Form guide
Defeat to Arsenal appears to have disrupted PSV somewhat. They followed up the 1-0 loss at the Emirates with a 4-2 reversal at Groningen in the Eredivisie, which left Van Nistelrooy’s side four points behind league leaders Ajax.
The goals are certainly flowing for Eindhoven: they’ve netted 19 in their last six matches across all competitions. But defensive vulnerabilities continue to cause problems, with six conceded in their last three.
Arsenal this season are far more balanced and certainly less prone to a defensive capitulation. Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Southampton ended a run of eight successive wins in all competitions, but confidence is still high under Arteta’s astute guidance.
The only potential question mark surrounding the Gunners is whether they can cope with the rigours of a Premier League title challenge and a Europa League campaign, but fielding a more youthful side has proved effective in the group stages so far.
He said what?!
Mikel Arteta has hinted at an imminent return for Zinchenko, who picked up an injury at the start of the month:
"I think he's close. He's getting better and better and he's progressing really well. He had a setback on an injury that he got at the start of the season which is a shame, but knowing Alex he will be back very soon.”
PSV vs Arsenal: Last time they met
Only a week has passed since the last meeting between the two teams, so there should be no surprises for either manager.
Arsenal dominated in their 1-0 win at the Emirates, controlling possession and creating several chances before Xhaka scored the only goal with 70 minutes gone.
They will likely have more defending to do at the Philips Stadion, but Arteta will be asking for more of the same from his players.
PSV vs Arsenal: Players to watch
Cody Gakpo continues to catch the eye for PSV. The left-sided attacker has scored nine goals and provided nine assists in just 11 Eredivisie games so far this season, attracting interest - according to reports - from several Premier League clubs.
With three goals already in the Europa League, Gakpo is clearly PSV’s biggest threat and will have been the focus of Arteta’s attention in the days leading up to the game.
Arsenal kept the Netherlands international quiet at the Emirates last week but he rarely goes more than one game without registering a goal or assist.
Another attacking player earning praise at PSV this season is Xavi Simons, who has played both as a number ten and on the right of the front four.
His return of nine goals and three assists in all competitions doesn’t quite match Gakpo’s, but he is an equally dangerous player in a team set up to do damage in the final third.
