Prediction: Arsenal vs PSV

Verdict: Arsenal win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Looking to open their Champions League adventure with an early flurry in north London, Arsenal will welcome PSV to the Emirates on Wednesday night.

Arsenal

Starting with the hosts, while Arsenal might have suffered Premier League title heartbreak last season as they missed out on the chance to get their hands on a first domestic crown since 2004, the Gunners are enjoying an extended romp. Marking their return from September’s international break over the weekend as they eventually claimed a 1-0 victory away at Everton, Mikel Arteta’s young squad have continued to gain a string of plaudits. Heading into the fortnight interval with a stunning flurry on home soil as they picked up a 3-1 win at home against historic rivals Manchester United, Wednesday’s hosts will be desperate to lay down an early European marker here. Mustering 13 points from their opening five Premier League appearances this season, Arteta’s side have also gained a reputation for their continued success in north London. In fact, the Gunners have lost just a single Premier League showdown in front of their own supporters since way back on February 15th.

Team News

All still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Arsenal will once again be unable to call upon the trio of Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny on Wednesday night. Likewise, limping off at Goodison Park a few days ago with a suspected muscle injury, the Gunners are sweating over the fitness of Brazilian ace Gabriel Martinelli.

Controversially dropped for Sunday’s 1-0 victory away at Everton, England international Aaron Ramsdale could be handed an immediate return between the sticks.

PSV

As for the visitors, while some in PSV’s camp might have been disappointed after only collecting a silver medal finish among Holland’s elite last season, Peter Bosz’s side have come flying out of the traps this time around. Picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend as they cruised their way to a 4-0 romp at home against Nijmegen, the Reds also laid down a real Champions League marker last month. Punching their group stage ticket following a 7-3 aggregate victory against Rangers, the mood in their camp should be at a real high. Likewise, landing a stellar 2-0 victory when they welcomed Arsenal to the Phillips Stadion for a Europa League showdown 11 months ago, PSV will be desperate to produce a repeat performance here. It should also be highlighted, Wednesday’s guests have lost just one of their previous five European meetings against the Premier League title contenders.

Team News

Both still dealing with respective long-term knee injuries, Boss will be without the duo of Mauro Junior and Armando Obispo when they travel to north London on Wednesday night.

Once again bagging a brace at home against Nijmegen over the weekend and notching nine strikes in his previous eight appearances across all formats, the red-hot Luuk de Jong will spearhead PSV’s charge here. Also impressing since making the move from Club Brugge this summer, Noa Lang will partner de Jong in the final third.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met while on Europa League duties 11 months ago, PSV picked up a 2-0 victory on home soil.
• In fact, the Dutch giants have lost just one of their previous five European showdowns against Wednesday’s hosts.
• Each of the last seven meetings between Arsenal and PSV have finished with under 2.5 goals.
• The Gunners have suffered just a single Premier League defeat at the Emirates since back on February 15th.
• Dutch international striker Luuk de Jong has notched nine strikes in his previous eight appearances across all competitions.

Conclusion

While PSV might hold an eye-catching record against Wednesday’s hosts after suffering just a single defeat in their previous five meetings, the Dutch giants will know that they face a real challenge in north London. With the Gunners marking their return from September’s international break with a 1-0 victory away at Everton over the weekend, Arsenal will be looking to lay down an early marker in the English capital. Suffering just one Premier League defeat at the Emirates since way back on February 15th, we are expecting Arteta’s squad to open their Champions League adventure with maximum points on Wednesday night.

Verdict: Arsenal win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: Dachbet