Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Champions League match.
A significant difference in mental state helped Arsenal easily defeat PSV Eindhoven in Eindhoven (7:1). At the Emirates Stadium, the situation will change slightly in favour of the underdog, but this is unlikely to prevent the favourites from securing an important victory that will alleviate the moral burden after their draw with Manchester United (1:1).
Arsenal
Arsenal nearly slipped at Old Trafford on Sunday, dropping points in a crucial title race against Liverpool. Despite registering 17 shots and 1.61 xG, their attack struggled to find a second breakthrough. The Leandro Trossard – Mikel Merino – Ethan Nwaneri trio featured prominently again, and against PSV in the first leg, they generated 1.91 xG with eight shots on target. The ruthless finishing resulted in an emphatic victory. With the tie effectively wrapped up, Mikel Arteta will rotate his squad, giving chances to key squad players.
PSV Eindhoven
PSV Eindhoven, on the other hand, were completely outclassed in the first meeting. Aside from Noa Lang’s converted penalty, the Dutch side managed just 0.61 xG from open play and only two shots on target. Goalkeeper Walter Benítez had a nightmare performance, making just one save, and PSV’s defensive structure fell apart under pressure. On Saturday, they scraped past Heerenveen (2:1), barely holding onto their lead in the Eredivisie. With the Champions League all but lost, PSV Eindhoven will shift their focus to domestic competition.
Arsenal vs PSV Eindhoven Prediction
Back in September 2023, Arsenal thrashed PSV (4:0) at the Emirates. While a similar margin might not be on the cards, the hosts should still win comfortably by at least two goals.
