Arsenal vs PSV 20/09/2023
Arsenal will return to the Champions League after a long absence when they host PSV at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
Date, KO time and TV coverage
Champions League, Wednesday, September 20, Kick-off 8:00pm
Champions League betting tips
- Arsenal -1.25 Asian handicap
- Over 3 goals
- Both teams to score
- Arsenal 3-1 PSV
*Prices subject to fluctuation.
Arsenal vs PSV 20/09/2023 – Verdict
Less than a year after their last meeting, Arsenal will kick off their Champions League campaign with a home match against Dutch runners-up PSV.
Their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Everton means they are unbeaten in their first five games, and they now have the second-best defence in the Premier League.
The Gunners have arguably done enough to secure maximum points so far, but blunders in the 1st and 87th minutes gifted 10-man Fulham a 2-2 draw.
PSV’s victory over Rangers has earned them a place in a difficult group that includes Arsenal, Sevilla, and the rapidly improving French team RC Lens.
Peter Bosz’s side recorded a 2-0 home win over Arteta’s men last October, just one week after losing 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
Cody Gakpo, Jarrad Branthwaite, Ibrahim Sangare, Noni Madueke, and Xavi Simons all played in the 2-0 win, but they have now moved on to play in the Premier League or Bundesliga.
PSV’s model is heavily reliant on developing young talent and selling them on for a profit, but as usual, they have started the season well.
In addition to beating Rangers 7-3 on aggregate, they also thrashed Sturm Graz 7-2 over two legs and beat Feyenoord in the Supercup while claiming maximum points in the league.
This is the first time PSV have played in the Champions League since 2019, when they lost 2-1 to Tottenham. Arsenal, on the other hand, have not appeared in the competition since a humiliating 10-2 aggregate loss to Bayern Munich in 2017.
The home side were at the peak of their form when they played PSV twice last season and found it incredibly hard to break the lines in both matches.
Arsenal are expected to have lots of the ball on Wednesday evening and they may find it easier to break down a new-look squad that lacks the midfield bite of a year ago.
