FROM ARSENAL to PSV for their final Champions League fixture match, and after Saturday’s defeat, they will desperately want to finish on a high note.
The Gunners saw the lead in the Premier League snatched away by Liverpool, who beat Crystal Palace from the start.
And the North London outfit then failed to reclaim top spot after losing to Aston Villa, forcing Mikel Arteta to storm out of the directors’ box.
But the Gunners manager will have the opportunity to experiment against PSV as long as qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League is already assured.
In addition, it gives Arteta the opportunity to rest players before Arsenal’s next war at Brighton.
Peter Bosz will be forced to face Arsenal winger Hirving Lozano, who will serve a European ban after being booked against Sevilla.
Noa Lang (discomfort), Amel Bella-Kotchap (shoulder) and Jordan Teze (concussion) are all expected to miss out too.
Elsewhere, Mikel Arteta can rotate a lot as the most sensible venue and qualification for the round of 16 is guaranteed.
The quintet of Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf), Emile Smith Rowe (knee), Jurrien Timber (knee), Thomas Partey (thigh) and Fabio Vieira (groin) will continue to nurse their injuries.
Bukayo Saka missed training on Monday due to a foot injury, but he could still feature for the Gunners.
Gabriel Martinelli will miss out due to illness.
PSV are flying high at the top of the Eredivisie with a staggering 15 wins in 15 games.
They are second in Group B and have a chance to qualify with at least a draw against Arsenal.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are already in the round of 16.
They will need to bounce back from Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Aston Villa.
Guus Til has been one of PSV’s star players this season.
In 15 Eredivisie appearances he has scored seven goals and provided three assists.
On Tuesday, he will pull the strings in midfield.
Meanwhile, Kai Havertz has been in excellent form these past few weeks.
The midfielder has gained a lot of confidence and was even named Arsenal’s Player of the Month in November.
He is expected to start for the Gunners when they travel to Eindhoven.
Mikel Arteta praised PSV’s form ahead of the game.
He said: “Really impressive. How they play, the consistency and the way they’ve been winning football matches.
“When you look at what they’ve done, the record they have here, you’re going to have to be smart to beat them. “
He also gave an update on Saka, saying, “Okay. With some of them, we had to take another recovery day just 48 hours early and he played a lot of minutes, so it wasn’t worth exposing him. “
PSV-Arsenal 1-1
*Ladbrokes quotes are as of the time of publication.
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