Arsenal vs PSV Eindhoven

A top-place finish in Europa League Group A is on the line as Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven go head-to-head in a ‘winner takes all’ fixture at the Emirates Stadium.

Bukayo Saka’s first-half goal away to Bodo/Glimt last week fired Arsenal to a narrow 1-0 loss, maintaining their 100% Europa League start (W3) and putting them on the cusp of the knockout stages. Another victory in this fixture would see the ‘Gunners’ make it to the Europa League round of 16 for the fifth season running. Saka built on his European heroics during the weekend as his world-class finish handed Arsenal a 1-0 win at Leeds United, helping them extend their lead at the Premier League summit to four points. However, after winning less than 50% of their eight all-time home H2Hs against Dutch visitors (W3, D4, L1), the Londoners are well advised to avoid walking down the complacency road. That could be a problem, though, knowing they’ve won all six competitive outings at the Emirates this season. It’s hard to overlook the fact they netted at least twice on each occasion.

On the other hand, PSV’s hopes of pipping Arsenal to a top-place finish in Group A are off and running following consecutive Europa League victories via an aggregate score of 10-1. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men follow last week’s 5-0 demolition of Zurich with a scintillating 6-1 romping of fellow domestic rivals Utrecht at the weekend, taking their winning run in all competitions to four matches. With just two points separating them from group leaders Arsenal, the ‘Farmers’ are aware a victory in London would help them leapfrog their hosts. But that could be easier said than done, considering they’ve pulled off just one win across their last 11 European road trips to face English adversaries (D4, L6). If you’re looking for an omen, PSV’s solitary success during that span came in London at the expense of Arsenal’s fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur.