Arsenal restart their Champions League campaign on Tuesday as they travel to Eindhoven to face an out of sorts PSV for the first leg of their last 16 tie.
There will be more to this game than the 22 players on the pitch, Arsene Wenger and Ronald Koeman have something of a history. The 2 managers came head to head during Koeman`s stint at Ajax, when Wenger lambasted the Dutchman for his boring tactics.
Since the managers last met Koeman has been the mastermind behind both Liverpool and United`s exit from Europe during his time at Portuguese club Benfica.
The Gunners have suffered one defeat in this season`s competition – an undeserved 1-0 defeat away to CSKA Moscow. A game in which Henry had a goal chalked off in the last minutes of the game for using his mysterious third arm to control the ball before slotting the ball past Igor Akinfeev.
PSV have suffered 2 defeats in the Champions League this season, a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool and a 3-1 defeat away to Bordeaux.
Vital Quotes:
Thierry Henry says it would be a ‘great feeling’ to win the Champions League this season: ‘It would be amazing if we won the trophy because I’ve never won it and the club has never won it,’ Henry told Sky Sports. ‘So it will be a great feeling.’
PSV Team News:
Portuguese defender Manuel da Costa and midfielder Ibrahim Afellay (both ankle) face a race against time to be fit to face Arsenal.
Player to watch: Jefferson Farfan:
Farfan is PSV’s top scorer this season with 16 goals, he is a good all round foward. Despite his impressive 16 goal tally, he isn’t the most clinical player in front of goal.
Arsenal Team News:
Julio Baptista, Jens Lehmann, Alex Hleb, Denilson and Johan Djourou all return after sitting out the match against Blackburn for various reasons.
Eboue is still suffering from an ankle injury while Justin Hoyte picked up a hamstring injury against Blackburn.
Theo Walcott will be rested with Sunday’s Cup final in mind.
Player to watch: Tomas Rosicky
The Czech midfielder has been in great form recently. Not in terms of goals but his team play and assists have been outstanding.
Form Guide
Arsenal have been in good form since their 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United.
PSV’s form would best be described as patchy.
Last 6 games: Arsenal – P6 W3 D3 L0
PSV – P6 W3 D1 L2
Match Prediction:
I’m quite confident about this match. Arsenal are unbeaten in 12 games. I’m going with a 3-1 Arsenal win. Farfan to put PSV ahead before Henry, Rosicky and Hleb strike back to secure a comfortable win for The Arsenal.