‘We are going to’: PSV manager now shares plan to beat Arsenal in Champions League clash

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Arsenal face a tough test in their return to the Champions League as they prepare to face PSV Eindhoven tonight, and their manager Peter Bosz has now revealed how he plans to ruin the party.

Mikel Arteta’s side are competing in the competition for the first time since 2017, and tonight’s game at the Emirates is a long-awaited one after over half a decade away from the Champions League.

Although Arsenal may consider themselves lucky that they avoided the likes of Barcelona and Napoli in the group stages, PSV will be no pushovers, and Peter Bosz has given his insight on how he plans to set his side up.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Bosz admitted that whilst Arsenal are the strongest team in the group, his side have identified the area they will target to try and grab a result in North London.

“I think Arsenal are the toughest opponents in the group. Arsenal also are a team that is in shape,” he stated.

“The most important thing is that we show courage. We are playing against a very good opponent, but we have to dare and want to play football ourselves.

“That will be very important if we are to possibly win. They are trying to create one more man in midfield, and we are going to counter that. We will adapt at a detailed level, but our view will not change.”

Arsenal’s midfield dominance

Under Arteta, Arsenal typically attempt to dominate central areas, with left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko inverting to join the midfield when in possession.

With Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard especially strong at retaining possession, Bosz has identified the centre as the area to target, and we may expect to see PSV try and press Arsenal in midfield.

If PSV can disrupt Arsenal’s build-up play, they may find it easier to defend against the hosts, and with pacey wingers in Noa Lang and Johan Bakayoko, they will likely look to hit Arsenal on the counter-attack.

Mikel Arteta may be tempted to start Takehiro Tomiyasu ahead of Zinchenko at left-back, given his superior defensive ability against tricky wingers, and his additional height to counter target man Luuk De Jong.

There are plenty of ways in which PSV can damage Arsenal, and they should not be underestimated as the home side look to begin their campaign with a victory.