PSV vs Arsenal Gunners’ season is on the line ahead of Champions League tie – but can Mikel Arteta fix their attack?

Champions League Clash: PSV Eindhoven vs. Arsenal – A Battle of Familiar Foes

The UEFA Champions League returns with an electrifying Round of 16 encounter as Arsenal travels to the Philips Stadion to face a familiar opponent—PSV Eindhoven. This marks the third consecutive season these two sides have locked horns, adding another chapter to their European rivalry.

Mikel Arteta’s men aim to break their Eindhoven curse, having struggled in their recent visits. However, they arrive in fine form, looking to carry their European momentum forward and gain an upper hand before the second leg in North London. Meanwhile, PSV, despite their domestic struggles, have been resilient in the Champions League and will seek to rekindle their magic under Peter Bosz.

PSV’s Rollercoaster Season

PSV stormed to their 25th Eredivisie title last season with dominance but have since hit a rough patch. A blistering start to the 2024/25 campaign saw them win 10 straight league games, yet their form has taken a dramatic nosedive in 2025. Since the restart, they have secured just one league victory in seven outings, allowing Ajax to surge ahead in the title race with a staggering 14-point swing.

Recent Eredivisie results paint a concerning picture: conceding two stoppage-time goals to draw 3-3 against NEC Nijmegen, squandering leads against Willem II and Utrecht, and suffering a 3-2 defeat against Go Ahead Eagles. Even worse, the same Eagles side eliminated them from the Dutch Cup, ending PSV’s remarkable unbeaten home streak that stretched back to November 2022.

Yet, in the Champions League, they have found their groove. PSV finished 14th in the league-phase standings, securing four wins and two draws from their eight games. Their resilience was on full display in the play-off round, overturning a 2-1 first-leg deficit against Juventus with a dramatic 3-1 extra-time victory, powered by an inspired Ivan Perisic and a decisive winner from Ryan Flamingo.

Arteta’s Take: Arsenal’s Mindset for the Knockout Stage

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is embracing the excitement of the Champions League knockout rounds:

“It’s a game that brings a different energy. The Champions League puts everyone on their toes. We’ve learned a lot about ourselves in Europe this season, but now it’s about what we do in the present and near future. We’re ready to take the next step.”

His counterpart, Peter Bosz, remains committed to PSV’s aggressive pressing style:

“Defending starts with the attack. We press immediately to win the ball back quickly. Football is complex, but it often comes down to small details. We’re working hard to improve those details and make those moments count.”

Team News: Who’s In and Who’s Out?

Arsenal

• Available: Myles Lewis-Skelly returns after suspension.
• Injured: Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli remain out, along with Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
• Suspension Risk: Martinelli and Raheem Sterling are one yellow card away from a ban.

PSV Eindhoven

• Injured: Riccardo Pepi (17 goals this season) is out for the campaign with a knee injury. Malik Tillman (ankle surgery) also misses out.
• Returning: Sergiño Dest has resumed training but has yet to feature this season due to an ACL injury. Mauro Junior’s fitness remains uncertain.
• New Signings: January arrival Lucas Perez is ineligible for the Champions League, while Esmir Bajraktarevic has a shoulder issue.

Tactical Breakdown: Pressing, Possession, and Set-Piece Danger

PSV are an energetic, pressing side that suffocates opponents in their own half. Statistically, they allow just nine opposition passes per defensive action—the second fewest in the tournament—signaling their relentless pressure. Their high press has led to 25 shots from turnovers, a number bettered only by PSG.

Bosz’s team enjoys possession, averaging 56% per game, which surpasses Arsenal’s control in this season’s competition. They also attempt the third-most shots per 90 minutes (18.2), making them a constant offensive threat.

However, their attacking intent leaves them vulnerable defensively. They’ve kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 league matches, exposing weaknesses that Arsenal can exploit with quick, well-timed runs from deep. The Gunners’ ability to transition rapidly could prove decisive, especially if PSV commit too many players forward.

Set pieces remain a significant weapon for the Dutch side, having scored eight goals from corners and free-kicks, the highest tally in the Champions League.

Key Player to Watch: Ismael Saibari

The Moroccan midfielder has been a revelation, with nine goals and 10 assists across all competitions. His ability to operate in tight spaces and create openings will be crucial for PSV’s attacking play.

Stat Pack: Arsenal’s Dutch Battles & Champions League Trends

• Arsenal have lost just two of their last 18 matches against Dutch opposition (W8 D8), though both defeats came away to PSV (2007 & 2022).
• The Gunners are on a four-match Champions League winning streak, scoring 13 and conceding just twice.
• PSV have won five of their last seven UCL games after failing to win any of their first three.
• Arsenal have failed to win the first leg in their last eight Champions League knockout ties, dating back to a 2-1 win over Barcelona in 2011.
• Youngster Ethan Nwaneri (17 years, 348 days) could become Arsenal’s second-youngest player in a Champions League knockout game, behind Cesc Fabregas.
• Ryan Flamingo is the highest-scoring defender in this season’s competition, with three goals.

Match Officials & Kit Update

Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano will officiate, known for his no-nonsense approach. He has shown an average of seven yellow cards per game in La Liga this season, with multiple games reaching double digits in bookings.

Due to a kit clash, Arsenal will wear white shorts with their black away kit.

Arsenal’s Eindhoven Struggles: Time to Break the Curse?

The Philips Stadion has been a tricky venue for the Gunners:

• 2002/03: Arsenal won 4-0, thanks to goals from Gilberto Silva, Thierry Henry, and Freddie Ljungberg.
• 2004/05: A 1-1 draw saw both Patrick Vieira and Lauren sent off.
• 2006/07: PSV won 1-0 in the first leg, leading to Arsenal’s elimination.
• 2022/23: A 2-0 Europa League loss.
• 2023/24: A 1-1 draw in the Champions League group stage.

With history against them, Arsenal will be eager to rewrite the script and take a major step toward the quarter-finals.

Final Thoughts

Arsenal head into this clash full of confidence, knowing a strong result in Eindhoven could set them up perfectly for the return leg at the Emirates. However, PSV’s high-energy approach and set-piece prowess make them dangerous opponents. This promises to be a thrilling encounter, one that could go down to the finest of margins.

Prediction: A tightly contested battle with Arsenal edging it 2-1.