PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal

Philips Stadion forms the backdrop for an exciting Champions League match-up between PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal.

Christmas came early for PSV Eindhoven as they’ve secured Champions League knockout progression for the first time since 2015/16 with a game to spare, courtesy of a breathtaking 3-2 comeback win at Sevilla last time out. Confidence is at an all-time high in Peter Bosz’s corner after a 2-0 home triumph against Heerenveen in the previous Eredivisie round fired the ‘Peasants’ within a two-win distance of equalling the best-ever start in the division’s history set by themselves in 1987/88. Regardless of the outcome in Eindhoven, PSV will qualify for the knockout stages as Group B runners-up, but avenging a 4-0 defeat in the reverse fixture would give the home side significant personal satisfaction. Worryingly for the home faithful, only one of PSV’s last eight matches against Premier League clubs has yielded a victory (D3, L4).

On the other hand, visiting Arsenal have executed a near-perfect Champions League campaign on their return to Europe’s elite table for the first time since 2015/16. Except for a shocking 2-1 defeat at Lens on Gameweek 2, Mikel Arteta’s men have won their remaining four Group D outings, including a superb 6-0 demolition of the French outfit last time out – their biggest-margin win in the Champions League since 2007/08. However, the ‘Gunners’ may not necessarily take this trip in high spirits after a stomach-wrenching 1-0 loss at Aston Villa saw Liverpool overtake them at the top of the Premier League table. On top of that, the Londoners have blown hot and cold across their last nine encounters against Dutch opposition (W3, D3, L3).