3 PSV players to watch in Europa League clash at the Emirates

EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS - OCTOBER 16: Xavi Simons of PSV celebrates 4-1 with Cody Gakpo of PSV during the Dutch Eredivisie match between PSV v FC Utrecht at the Philips Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Eindhoven Netherlands (Photo by Photo Prestige/Soccrates/Getty Images)
EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS - OCTOBER 16: Xavi Simons of PSV celebrates 4-1 with Cody Gakpo of PSV during the Dutch Eredivisie match between PSV v FC Utrecht at the Philips Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Eindhoven Netherlands (Photo by Photo Prestige/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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3. Xavi Simons

Young Xavi Simons is a dazzling prospect. (Photo by Photo Prestige/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Young Xavi Simons is a dazzling prospect. (Photo by Photo Prestige/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

The highly-regarded 19-year-old is poised to enjoy a hugely prosperous career at the highest level.

Simons is one of those prodigious young talents to garner the “next Messi” tag after graduating from La Masia. The teenager plays well beyond his years, and he appears to have found the ideal club to facilitate his rise to superstardom after leaving PSG in the summer.

Simons, who primarily operates as a #10, has registered 11 goal contributions in ten Eredivisie appearances to start 2022/23. Alongside Gakpo, the Dutchman has been key to PSV’s early success this season.

The nimble playmaker is versatile in his positioning and difficult to track as a result. Sambi Lokonga will have his work cut out in preventing Simons from receiving between the lines. If the teenager does receive the ball in such positions, Arsenal could be in trouble. He’s incredibly dynamic with the ball and excellent at combining with teammates to bypass opponents.

Overall, Simons is a major talent and certainly capable of spearheading an away victory at the Emirates. A concerted effort must be made to slow him down.