CL Match Preview: Arsenal vs PSV
We welcome PSV for the second leg of our Champions League Round of 16 tie on Wednesday night, looking to protect our commanding 7-1 lead and reach the quarter-finals in consecutive seasons for the first time in 15 years.
The tie looks all but over after our record-breaking seven goals in Eindhoven and showcased the kind of attacking flair that has been missing throughout the season for Mikel Arteta.
Ethan Nwaneri became the youngest player in Champions League history to score in back-to-back appearances during our demolition of the Dutch Side – where we momentarily masked our attacking struggles.
One foot (and four toes) in the quarter-finals
Barring what would be one of the most extraordinary comebacks in European football history, we are set for a second consecutive Champions League quarter-final – where we will face either Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid.
A trip to Madrid is guaranteed – it's just a question of which team we will face. Real Madrid lead the tie 2-1 on aggregate, but they will have to record a positive result at the Metropolitano to proceed to the last eight.
Finding a way past either of these teams over two legs will be a huge challenge, but one we will have to overcome if we are to lift any silverware this season.
The thoughts of both managers ahead of Wednesday night
Mikel Arteta:
On whether the Champions League is our only realistic chance of a trophy: "It's a competition that we have put in a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of energy. We're very consistent and winning tomorrow puts us in a very good position."
On being happy we're second in the league and in the quarter-finals of the Champions League: "Somebody said that? I don't know. That's for somebody to understand and to put that. If somebody was to say that with the injuries that we had, with five red cards and everything that's going on, probably. But I don't know. Everybody has different opinions, you have to respect that."
On if he's been looking at potential quarter-final opponents: "Since the day that we had the teams in the group stages and you are playing against one opposition, you are looking at the others for sure. And then once we knew the possible opponents, we know them all because they are so good. So yeah, you start to put in your head 'what if', but that's it. After you know that, you have to earn every right to be in that position."
Peter Bosz:
On how he sends his team onto the pitch now: "I think everyone who was on the field last week doesn't want to go through what happened there again. We want to show that we are better than that. You're playing against a top club in a great stadium. Everyone who started playing football as a little boy dreams of being here in the [UEFA] Champions League. We are very motivated to make it a real game."
On if he is going to rest players: "For me, the league is the most important thing. A number of guys deserve to play and get the chance to show themselves."
Stats and Facts
Mikel Arteta will take charge of his 20th Champions League game as Arsenal manager, and he could become just the 10th manager to win 13 of their first 20 matches in the competition. Seven of the nine to have achieved that feat before went on to lift the trophy at some point in their careers.
We could become just the second English team to score 10 goals over two legs in the Champions League. Manchester City were the first to do so in the 2018-19 Round of 16 (10-2 win on aggregate).
We're looking to win six in a row in the Champions League for the first time since the period between March and November 2005 under Arsene Wenger.
PSV haven't kept a clean sheet away from home in the Champions League since March 2011 (0-0 v Atletico Madrid), conceding in each of their last 15 away games in the competition.
PSV are winless in their last six away major European games in England (2 draws, 4 defeats), with their last two visits ending in defeat to us.
Match Officials
Slovenian referee Rade Obrenovic will officiate our match against PSV on Wednesday night.
Obrenovic has taken charge of three Champions League matches so far this season and also overlooked AZ Alkmaar's win over Tottenham last Thursday.
He shows 5 cards per game on average in the Champions League and is yet to award a penalty kick.
Referee: Rade Obrenovic (SVN)
Assistants: Jure Praprotnik, Grega Kordez (SVN)
VAR: Alen Borosak (SVN)
Assistant VAR: Tiago Martins (POR)
Fourth Official: David Smajc (SVN)