While there are no European rounds taking place this midweek, there is one interesting continental match scheduled for Thursday. That fixture is none other than Arsenal vs PSV, the rescheduled UEFA Europa League showdown from Group A as the top two teams look to battle it out for the no.1 spot.
As mentioned earlier, this game was initially scheduled to take place on September 15 but was postponed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II. As a result, the Gunners will host the Dutch heavyweights on October 20, which has finally arrived, as Arteta's men aim to strengthen their grip on the top spot.
The North London giants currently sit at the summit with a two-point advantage over second-placed PSV. This means that a win over Ruud van Nistelrooy's side will see Arsenal move five points clear at the top with two games left in the group stage.
This is ideal as it would allow Arteta to rotate more in the final two fixtures while resting his key men for the Premier League. Additionally, given that the likes of Atletico Madrid, Ajax, Barcelona, AC Milan, and Juventus could crash out of the UEFA Champions League and enter the UEFA Europa League Knockout Round Playoffs, it is crucial that Arsenal win their group in order to get a bye to the round of 16.
Form is on the home team's side as Saka and Co. enter this tie on the back of a seven-game winning streak. This run includes brilliant victories over Tottenham in the North London Derby and over Liverpool the following week. Not only did the Gunners beat those two English heavyweights, but the current Premier League leaders achieved those victories by outplaying the opposition. However, this isn't to say all has been perfect.
Arsenal's last two performances were far from ideal. Last Thursday, Arteta's men beat tricky Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt 1-0 but were put under tremendous pressure and were fortunate not to drop points. The following weekend, this theme repeated itself as the Gunners were then dominated by Leeds in the English top flight. However, heroic defending and a lack of clinicalness from Jesse Marsch's men meant the London giants came away from Elland Road with a 1-0 triumph as well.
Will PSV be the latest club to hand the high-flying Arsenal troubles on the pitch? Given that they are two points behind the host, this is a must for the visitors if they are to win the group.
Defeat at the Emirates Stadium wouldn't end their pursuit of the no.1 spot. However, this is a crucial step in keeping the race open until the final round. Fortunately, Van Nistelrooy's men enter this tie with confidence.
The Dutch heavyweight have scored a whopping 11 goals in their last two games, beating FC Zurich 5-0 before thrashing Utecht 6-1 in their domestic league. In fact, the away side have won their last four games in a row, with only one being a narrow 1-0 victory, with the other fixture being another heavy victory over FC Zurich, this time 5-1.
However, their 3-0 loss away to Cambuur at the beginning of this month shows that Boeren are beatable. In fact, despite their brilliant start to the campaign, PSV are only second in the Eredivisie table, winning eight but losing twice in their opening 10 games, thus trailing table-toppers Ajax by a point.
Regardless, given the impeccable form of Cody Gakpo this season, the highly-rated captain will look to lead his club to a memorable Emirates Stadium triumph. Do not miss this fixture!
Team news
Arsenal: Arteta continue to be without Mohamed Elneny and Emile Smith Rowe, with the Egyptian and English midfielders expected back at the start of next year and end of this year, respectively. Additionally, Oleksandr Zinchenko remains a heavy doubt due to his calf injury while the in-form Gabriel Martinelli might sit this one out after coming down with an illness. In his absence, Reiss Nelson could get a second-consecutive start in this competition.
PSV: The visitors have concerns of their own as Yorbe Vertessen, Ismael Saibari, Olivier Boscagli, and Marco van Ginkel have all been ruled out. However, it's not all bad news as Noni Madueke, Luuk de Jong, and Mauro Junior have made the trip to Arsenal. Meanwhile, PSV will look to Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons for inspiration up front once more.
Key stats
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Arsenal are on a seven-game winning streak and a nine-game winning streak at the Emirates Stadium, the venue of this clash.
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This will be the first encounter between these two clubs since March 2007.
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While PSV haven't won in any of their last three visits to this stadium, the Dutch outfit have still lost only once.
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The last time these two clubs met, the Eredivisie side secured a 1-1 draw in London in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 to eliminate the Gunners from the competition, triumphing 2-1 on aggregate.
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Nonetheless, Boeren have only scored three goals in their last six encounters with Arsenal.
Broadcast listings
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
