Die Meister, Die Besten, Les grandes équipes, The champions. Oh how I cannot wait to be hearing that theme once more at The Emirates. It really has been far too long! I last watched Arsenal play Monaco in 2015 in the Champions League in 3-1 defeat and that wrong was never able to be made right.
That is until Wednesday night. I am fortunate enough once again to have a ticket to watch Mikels mighty Gunners at The Emirates on a Wednesday night. But who will I be seeing live?
Predicted Lineup
Now given the rotation available in the squad. As well as the fact we are the North London Derby on Sunday. Mikel will need to field a relatively weaker side than he’d want. However the Betting companies and Mikel himself should view us as favourites for this game.
With the importance of Sunday looming ahead of Arsenals first night back in the Champions League. I expect changes at the back. Starting at GK, I’m being honest this is a guess from me. Because no one can predict our XI’s let alone our starting keeper.
I’ve put Ramsdale in, but simply I am not sure. As I write this doubts creep into my mind. Maybe its Raya and Ramsdale is saved for the NLD? Either way I have the confidence in both keepers so I’m happy with whoever starts.
As for the wingback roles, Zinchenko is too important for us as is Ben White. I fully expect both to be on the bench. Kiwior is still developing but learning the system from training and his great distribution and pace should do him well. As for Tomiyasu, he is becoming more and more similar to Zinchenko in his inversion into CM allowing the other midfielders to push higher up in support of the wingers and striker. This should certainly do us well.
Now for Kai Havertz, his physical presence may be key for his play time here. As if Arsenal start strong, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him subbed off and saved for the NLD. Where I think his close ball control combined with his ability to win the ball in the air will make him very important on Sunday.
Likewise I would be surprised if Saka gets more than 60 minutes. He needs to be fully ready for Sunday. Expect another early sub appearance from Reiss Nelson.
PSV:
Arsenal last faced PSV in the Europa League last year. With the Gunners being completely dominant across both legs but still coming undone and loosing 2-0 on the away trip. A game that heavily frustrated Mikel as Arsenal controlled both chances on goal and possession but were unable to finish them off.
Despite PSV having a new manager, do not think Mikel will underestimate this side. He knows full a strong aggressive start, with clinical finishing will be important. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Trossard pivot into the CF role and move Eddie Nketiah out wide if he plays as a target forward to help draw the rest of the midfield into the attack through long balls.
PSV are the next best in the group Arsenal find themselves in. Arsenal need to start strong and confident to welcome themselves back into the UCL I expect plenty of shots from outside the box to really test the metal of PSV’s defence and their GK.
Keys to winning:
Your defence is in trouble. Nketiah in the room. This is how Arsenal get the W. Eddie needs to be clinical in front of goal. Failing this, his next best way of influencing the side to get the dub, is to be strong. He has to be first on the ball, hold it well and allow time and space to bring in the wingers and the midfield of Kai and Martin to get set them up for shots on goal.
This is how we win, through intricate interplay or outright power shots on goal.
I expect this game to be another where Arsenal dominate possession of the ball, and have the most shots on target. But need to also be wary of pacy counter attacks. If we are clinical in the first half the combination of strong play, the crowd and the atmosphere. We will have a despondent PSV in the 2nd half and be cruising to a victory that can allow for substitutes to take place and let the main squad focus on Sunday.
Conclusion:
No matter what happens, I will be there to support the boys. They are playing some great football, and I am reminded of the glory days of Wengerball. It will take some quick tiki taka to break through the opposition’s low block, but I am sure we will score first. It will likely be a well-worked attack, starting from the back and ending with an Eddie Nketiah tap-in. After that, the home crowd will carry Arsenal to victory.
Predicted POTM: Trossard
Score Line: Arsenal 3 PSV 0
Suggested Bet – Anytime Goal Scorer: Eddie Nketiah
Written by Reekesh Somaroo