By Karl Matchett
Powerful aspect of the draw
Flip a coin as as to if you see foresight as a motivational issue or a mood-killer – it’ll in all probability rely by yourself group and their attainable choices. For Arsenal, which means if they arrive by way of a last-16 tie towards PSV, they know mendacity in wait shall be both big from Madrid, then in all probability Liverpool or Paris Saint-Germain. None of these are simple, but it surely’s the Champions League: it’s not imagined to be simple!
Give attention to the job in hand
For Mikel Arteta and his underperforming squad, there’s a unique response too: your so-called simple recreation is that this one. PSV usually are not simply in one of many weaker prime leagues in Europe, they’re additionally wildly off form themselves.
Nevertheless it’s time for the Gunners to neglect about visions of glory proper now; as an alternative, they want to focus on the “one step at a time” strategy, the methodology of simply getting the job executed which lies forward of them – particularly contemplating they haven’t executed that in three of their final 4 matches, beating solely relegation certainties Leicester since that thumping 5-1 win over Man Metropolis. Till consistency is again on the agenda, neglect speak of trophies.
Latest type
PSV nonetheless sit second within the Eredivisie, however they’ve fallen to eight factors off Ajax following a run of 1 win in seven within the league, and simply two wins in eight in a packed fixture listing throughout all competitions for the reason that begin of February. Arsenal performed solely 5 occasions in that interval, profitable twice, whereas in Europe their document was robust within the league part: six wins from eight noticed them end third.
Staff information
Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi are the massive absentees for PSV, however they’re additionally with out Serginio Dest and ex-Arsenal striker Lucas Pérez, now a 36-year-old veteran who has simply joined on a short-term deal. On-loan Man United man Tyrell Malacia may additionally be disregarded.
Arsenal are lacking ahead foursome Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, whereas Takehiro Tomiyasu continues to be absent for the lengthy haul too. Mikel Merino appears set to proceed up entrance.
Key participant
If Arsenal need any probability at actual success this yr, they want Martin Ødegaard to step up once more and rediscover prime type. Naturally for a participant as inventive as him, he wants nice motion forward of him to essentially maximise his expertise, however the captain merely has to discover a means. In comparison with Europe’s different midfielders he’s 91st percentile for photographs, 98th percentile for probability creation. Make it rely.
Prediction
Over two legs, that is an Arsenal victory all the way in which – there’s an argument to say it’s probably the most one-sided tie of the final 16: PSV 1 Arsenal 2.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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