While Arsenal are heavy favourites to earn a place in the Champions League quarter-finals, they cannot look beyond PSV Eindhoven in the round of 16 first.
The Gunners have stuttered and stalled in recent weeks, not least in the forward areas, where injuries have been costly in finding that spark up front.
Their Champions League opponents PSV Eindhoven certainly don’t have that issue – having scored 73 goals in 24 league games this season.
The Dutch outfit could cause problems for Arsenal in that way, making a place in the quarter-final anything but a formality for the North London side.
One star in particular has already caused problems for Mikel Arteta in a previous meeting between the sides.
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PSV star Johan Bakayoko caused Jakub Kiwior problems for Arsenal
It hasn’t been ages since Arsenal took on PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, with the two sides facing off in last season’s competition in the group stages.
While the Gunners won 4-0 in the first clash at the Emirates Stadium, a rotated side found it tougher in the second meeting which ended 1-1.
One star who impressed in the meeting was Johan Bakayoko, a young winger who is on the radar of a few top clubs.
The 21-year-old plays on the right flank but is left-footed, which allows for him to turn defenders inside and out.
He managed to do that against Jakub Kiwior last time out, who was featuring at left-back and struggled to keep hold of him.
TNT Sports pundit Lucy Ward made a point about it at the time, stating: “Kiwior has had a tough night at left-back. It’s not his natural position and Bakayoko has been running at him as well.”
Arsenal have a few more options available at left-back this time around, with Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney all fit and ready to feature.
Despite that, Bakayoko has shown he is a threat and the Gunners cannot allow him to repeat that performance once again otherwise it could be costly.
Arsenal should consider Johan Bakayoko transfer this summer
Arsenal are set to enter the market this summer transfer window to bolster their forward ranks and Arsenal Insider understands the side wants a striker and a winger.
A centre-forward is likely to be a priority, given the lack of options there, which could see the Gunners spend big.
The wide areas are less of an important area to address but could do with some rotation options that have plenty of potential.
Bakayoko certainly fits in that category, being a player who can offer plenty now and for the future.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | 7 | 1 |
Whether the Belgian youngster is a player on Arsenal’s radar is unclear, but he could be about to show them why he should be.
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