Arsenal make their long-awaited return to the Champions League tonight as they welcome PSV Eindhoven to the Emirates, but they will face a tough test.
Although the Dutch side do not present the same challenge as Champions League heavyweights Bayern Munich or Real Madrid could have, they are still a quality team that can cause Arsenal all sorts of problems.
A home-leg victory will be crucial as Arsenal aim to top the group, and whilst they recorded a victory against PSV in last season’s Europa League group stage clash at the Emirates, they may present a different challenge today.
PSV have a lot of attacking threat despite losing Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons since the Europa League games last season, and striker Luuk De Jong is someone Mikel Arteta may be particularly concerned about.
De Jong’s aerial threat
The 33-year-old has a lot of experience in European competition, having scored the winner in the 2020 Europa League final with Sevilla, as well as featuring in the Champions League with Barcelona amongst others.
His height and aerial ability are his main strengths, and he excels at attacking the ball in set pieces. Arsenal will have to be extra cautious when defending corners and crosses, having already conceded from a set piece against Fulham this season.
Given the aerial threat De Jong poses, starting Takehiro Tomiyasu could be a wise move, with the Japan international capable of adding extra height to the team from fullback. Kai Havertz could also come in as another player who can help Arsenal dominate the aerial battles.
De Jong scored in Arsenal’s away defeat to PSV last year, and the striker has scored four times in four league matches this season.
Even if Arsenal play well tonight, De Jong will provide a tough threat as a striker who can grab a goal out of nothing, and Arteta will have him in mind when selecting his starting XI.
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