Arsenal vs PSV | On Thursday at 6 p.m., the top two teams in Europa League Group A square off. Our goal is to win so that we can advance to the knockout rounds.
A fourth victory in our first four games will secure a top-two finish for us and move us one step closer to winning the group and avoiding the play-off round in February.
Although our opponents have played one fewer game than their Eredivise rivals, PSV will also be keeping an eye on that trophy. PSV has gone undefeated in its first three Europa League games, and only Feyenoord has scored more goals than their 11 so far.
PSV’s history
PSV, one of the biggest clubs in the Netherlands, has won 24 league championships as well as the European Cup (1987–1988) and UEFA Cup (1977–78). Since 1975–1976, they have made an appearance in Europe; this season will be their 49th consecutive appearance.
They finished second behind Ajax in the league last year and advanced to the Europa Conference League quarterfinals, where they lost to Leicester City. However, they did win the Dutch Cup after coming from behind to defeat Ajax 2-1.
Their current season
Arsenal vs PSV | Ruud van Nistelrooy assumed control after Roger Schmidt joined Benfica in the summer. He had previously led the club’s youth squads. With eight victories from their first 10 games, he has led his team to second place in the Eredivisie standings, one point behind Ajax.
Guus Til scored a hat-trick when they defeated the Amsterdam club 5-3 to win the Johan Cruyff Shield during the preseason. However, after defeating Monaco in the Champions League qualifying rounds, they were defeated by Rangers 2-1 on aggregate to lose the competition.
Due to it, they were demoted to the Europa League. After drawing 1-1 with Bodo/Glimt at home, they thrashed Zurich 5-1 in Switzerland before winning 5-0 in Eindhoven the previous week. They have scored 17 goals in their past four games including a 6-1 victory against Utrecht last Sunday.
Monitoring report
According to Michael Cox’s article in the gameday programme: Both the 4-3-3 and the 4-2-3-1 formations have been employed thus far under Van Nistelrooy, and in both, PSV play with wide width and send numerous crosses into the box. Left-winger Cody Gakpo steals the show with 13 goals in 18 games in 2022–2023. When he charges inside to finish with his right foot, he feels unstoppable.
Ibrahim Sangare, an all-action player capable of aggressive ball-winning and deliberate deliveries into attack, is most likely to play the holding role in midfield. PSV’s midfield should maintain their cautious posture.
Jordan Teze can play alongside Armando Obispo in defence and is a deadly offensive set-piece threat. Although sometimes he is used as a right-back, Teze has excellent crossing skills. Van Nistelrooy’s defence has occasionally been particularly porous, allowing three goals to both Feyenoord and Cambuur.
