Arsenal face Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League round of 16.
The Gunners travel to the Netherlands to take on Peter Bosz’ outfit on the 4th or 5th of March, before hosting the Dutch giants in the second leg a week later at the Emirates.
The Champions League draw took place on Friday morning, with Mikel Arteta’s side taking on the winners of Real Madrid’s tie with Atletico Madrid in the quarter-final if they can overcome PSV.
However, the Eindhoven-based club possess a lot of talent, sit just two points off the top in the Dutch top flight and thus will be a stern test for the North Londoners.
Arteta’s defence will have to be at its best to negate PSV’s threatening attacking players – here are four that Arsenal will have to be particularly wary of.
Johan Bakayoko
Perhaps PSV’s most talented individual, Johan Bakayoko hasn’t quite kicked on this campaign after an exceptional season last year.
The explosive winger netted 12 goals and registered nine assists in just 29 league starts last term, but has managed just seven and one this time around.
However, his intelligent combination play and ability to take shots in dangerous positions makes the Belgian a real threat, and the Gunners will be more than aware of what he can do to defences.
Bakayoko was linked with Arsenal last summer, suggesting that the North London club have meticulously scouted the wide man, and will be conscious of what he can produce.
Likely to be up against Riccardo Calafiori or Myles Lewis-Skelly in the Champions League clash, Arsenal will have to ensure that their left-back isn’t left isolated one-on-one with PSV’s talisman.
Noa Lang
Another winger who has been linked with a switch to N5, Ajax academy graduate Noa Lang is enjoying a fine season in the Eredivisie.
Scoring five goals and providing eight assists, the Dutchman is an aggressive ball carrier, a creative passer and PSV’s primary attacking outlet on the left-hand side.
Slightly older than Jurrien Timber at 25, Lang will know the Arsenal full-back well from their time together in the Ajax youth set-up, and will be pitched up against him in the European showdown.
This one-on-one battle could be key in determining the outcome of the tie, with Lang currently Bosz’ team’s most potent attacking threat.
Ricardo Pepi
PSV’s top scorer this season, Ricardo Pepi has found the back of the net 17 times across all competitions and will lead the line for the Dutch side at the Philips Stadion and at the Emirates.
The 22-year-old American is physical and robust, whilst boasting excellent movement in and around the box.
He’ll provide William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes with a difficult test, particularly if he has Lang and Bakayoko running off him.
Ismael Saibari
Ismael Saibari has also been linked with Arsenal, and his exceptional output this season explains why.
The Moroccan has ten goals and eleven assists in all competitions, and is the creative hub of Bosz’ team.
A traditional number ten, Saibari will be be granted the freedom to roam behind Pepi and look to get on the ball and dictate play in the final third.
With Joey Veerman and Jerdy Schouten deployed in a double pivot to do the dirty work for the playmaker, his sole focus will be on picking apart Arsenal’s resolute defensive block.
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