Arsenal must be ready for a much sterner test in Eindhoven

Arsenal’s dominance in their rescheduled Europa League clash against PSV Eindhoven last week came as a surprise.

Sure, the Gunners have proved this season that they’re a very good side and Mikel Arteta did start the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka against the Dutch outfit, but I’m sure every Arsenal supporter expected more from the visitors.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men produced the most uninspiring of displays in north London despite entering the contest on a four-match winning run. Credit has to go to the superior Gunners for rendering PSV’s stars utterly useless as they cruised to the most comfortable of 1-0 triumphs.

The slender defeat flattered the visitors, who could’ve been on the receiving end of a thrashing had Arsenal been more clinical. Inefficiency in front of goal has plagued the Gunners in recent weeks.

Arsenal must be ready for a much sterner test in Eindhoven

Arsenal’s triumph last week saw them maintain their 100% record to start the Europa League and take full control of Group A as a result. It’s been a cruise for the north Londoners thus far – outside of the difficult trip to Bodø – and they require just a point in Eindhoven on Thursday to qualify as group winners, which Mikel Arteta knows is significant.

“This competition is getting harder and harder and how it looks today and what the possibilities are, it looks like the next round will be extremely competitive. That’s why finishing first in the group and avoiding another two games is such an important thing for us,” the boss said in his pre-match press conference.

The likes of Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Sevilla are set to drop down into the Europa League next year. By topping the group, Arsenal will avoid playing an eliminated Champions League outfit in the round of 32.

Arteta will be keen to wrap the group up in Eindhoven so he can rest his first-team stars against FC Zurich next week with a trip to Stamford Bridge on the horizon. However, the Spaniard must prepare his team for a much tougher encounter this time out.

I’d be amazed if PSV produced a performance anywhere close to their drab showing in north London. Buoyed by home support and the possibility of Bodø/Glimt eliminating them from the competition on Matchday 6, PSV will be determined to grab a positive result against the Gunners on Thursday.

The tepidness of their Emirates showing will surely be replaced by a more aggressive and proactive approach with and without the ball. They’ve got to get their attacking stars into the game, something they couldn’t do last week as holding midfielder Ibrahim Sangare was the only player who performed anywhere close to his apex.

Captain and the highly-sought after Cody Gakpo is bound to be more influential, while Noni Madueke – the ex-Spurs academy starlet – could make his first start after returning from a lengthy injury layoff. PSV’s #10 looked a real threat when he came off the bench last week.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have been far less convincing on the road in October. Arteta’s side struggled in Norway, were fortunate to escape Elland Road with a win, and were held by Southampton at St. Mary’s on Sunday amid a tired second-half showing. Fatigue is starting to take its toll on this bright Arsenal side, and they’ll have to dig deep to grab the point they require in Eindhoven.

PSV are a good team that didn’t do themselves justice at the Emirates last time out. They’re formidable on home soil, too, having not been beaten at the Philips Stadion in the Eredivise since February. They do, however, come unstuck against good opposition having been beaten four times at home in 2022 (against Ajax, AZ, Leicester, and Rangers).

Arsenal will not be walking into a cauldron of hostility on Thursday, but a far tougher challenge awaits them compared to the Emirates cakewalk.