Arsenal are back in Champions League action in midweek as they play host to PSV Eindhoven in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16.
The Gunners welcome the Dutch outfit to the Emirates Stadium, knowing they have more than one foot in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Arsenal ran out 7-1 winners over PSV in the first leg, a huge lead that will take an almighty collapse to see them exit the competition.
In the days since their last meeting, Arsenal drew with Manchester United in another disappointing display for Mikel Arteta.
While confidence may seem low for the Gunners, PSV have managed to bounce back and will be looking at putting on a display of their own in North London.
Dutch media give positive review on PSV Eindhoven before Arsenal clash
After struggles in the Eredivisie title race and then the thrashing from Arsenal, many would forgive PSV players for feeling down and out.
Heading into the Champions League round of 16 second leg, there is an almost impossible task of turning around a six-goal deficit against one of the best teams in Europe – even if Arsenal are faltering slightly.
Despite those difficulties, PSV responded well over the weekend as they beat SC Heerenveen 2-1, coming as a slight boost to their confidence.
Detailing the victory, Dutch outlet AD said: “Part one of the damage limitation operation has been successfully completed.”
Hinting towards the coming match with Arsenal, talk of limiting humiliation came up again, stating: “Next week, Bosz hopes to continue the good line in a match that will be all about the cakes for PSV, against Arsenal.
“After last week’s 7-1 blunder, part two of operation damage limitation is on the program. PSV went down in front of the international sports audience last week and are fighting for redemption.
“Not for the prizes anymore, although there is still a slim chance of winning the title in the Eredivisie.”
It outlines the reality that PSV are less focused on winning the match and more so on limiting the damage already done to them.
However, a side with nothing left to lose could be dangerous if Arsenal let them into the game early on.
Peter Bosz opens up on PSV form before Arsenal match
With Arsenal thrashing PSV, their head coach Peter Bosz explained how his side were nervous when first returning to action.
He told the press after the win over Heerenveen: “Very pleasant, of course. The result does not reflect how well we played. This was an absolute must-win game, and we fully charged up for this game.
“To then succeed makes me very happy. I am proud of my team because we played really well.
“In the beginning, we played nervous, which is logical, but then we found our game and finally created chances again.”
Whether confidence or nervousness will now follow at the Emirates Stadium remains to be seen in such a big clash in their season.
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