Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

3 things to know about PSV before Champions League duel

By James Cormack

EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS - SEPTEMBER 16: Ismael Saibari of PSV, Sergino Dest of PSV, Andre Ramalho of PSV, Luuk de Jong of PSV, Johan Bakayoko of PSV, Ibrahim Sangare of PSV, goalkeeper Walter Benítez of PSV, Jerdy Schouten of PSV, Joey Veerman of PSV, Patrick van Aanholt of PSV, Noa Lang of PSV line up for a minute of silence for the disasters in Morocco and Libya during the Dutch Eredivisie match between PSV and NEC at Philips Stadion on September 16, 2023 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Boer van den Boom/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS - SEPTEMBER 16: Ismael Saibari of PSV, Sergino Dest of PSV, Andre Ramalho of PSV, Luuk de Jong of PSV, Johan Bakayoko of PSV, Ibrahim Sangare of PSV, goalkeeper Walter Benítez of PSV, Jerdy Schouten of PSV, Joey Veerman of PSV, Patrick van Aanholt of PSV, Noa Lang of PSV line up for a minute of silence for the disasters in Morocco and Libya during the Dutch Eredivisie match between PSV and NEC at Philips Stadion on September 16, 2023 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Boer van den Boom/BSR Agency/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal will have to deal with PSV’s new-look attack. (Photo by Photo Prestige/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Arsenal will have to deal with PSV’s new-look attack. (Photo by Photo Prestige/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

2. New (and familiar) attacking threats

It was all about Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons last season, while Ibrahim Sangare impressed in both meetings with the Gunners. However, all of these players have since departed the club, with Bosz inheriting a new-look PSV attack at the start of 2023/24.

That doesn’t mean the Dutch outfit are any less potent. They’ve scored 13 goals through four league games and conceded just once – depicting the proficiency of Bosz’s style when he strikes the right balance. However, they haven’t faced a team boasting anywhere near the competence of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

Sorry, Rangers.

Nevertheless, Bosz will back his side to give the Gunners a few headaches. Luuk de Jong, who scored in PSV’s 2-0 win over Arsenal, has started the season like a house on fire. The veteran forward has a whopping 14 goal contributions in nine games (all comps) heading into Wednesday’s game. De Jong is complemented by exciting youngster Johan Bakayoko, who looks like the next PSV export to garner a big fee, Moroccan playmaker Ismael Saibairi, and box-crasher Joey Veerman.

Noa Lang would’ve been another star to keep a close eye on, but injury is set to rule him out of Wednesday’s game. In his place, Hirving Lozano and his searing speed will undoubtedly concern the Gunners full-backs.

Overall, this is a diverse PSV attack that can trouble Arsenal from multiple angles. Bosz’s side will undoubtedly test the Gunners’ sound defensive structure, especially in transition, as well as the one-on-one ability of Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Continued on the next slide…

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