Arsenal visit the Philips Stadion to take on PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday evening in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie.
The North Londoners earned a direct route to the knockout rounds courtesy of a third-placed league phase finish in the new Champions League format. In the Premier League, they have failed to win their last two games, thereby falling 13 points behind league leaders Liverpool albeit with a game in hand.
Mikel Arteta’s men will be desperate to get back to winning ways against PSV Eindhoven, who triumphed over Juventus 4-3 on aggregate in a play-off fixture last month.
Arsenal Team News
Myles Lewis-Skelly will be available for selection against PSV Eindhoven. However, there should be no change in Arsenal’s injury situation, as Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Takehiro Tomiyasu all remain sidelined.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs PSV Eindhoven (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Arsenal’s undisputed No.1, David Raya should be looking to keep a clean sheet against PSV Eindhoven in midweek.
Defence
LWilliam Saliba should continue his partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of Arsenal’s defence in the 4-3-3 Arsenal lineup. The duo have to be focused and determined to keep an exciting PSV attack quiet.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has been among Arsenal’s better players in recent months and deserves to start at left-back at the expense of Ricardo Calafiori. Jurrien Timber is expected to retain his spot at right-back in the Arsenal lineup, although Ben White is now back from injury and will be pushing to regain his place.
The full-backs must make smart decisions on and off the ball to not only help the Gunners in controlling the game but also thwart the threat of the hosts’ wingers.
Midfield
As for midfield, Thomas Partey should act as a screen for the backline. The Ghanaian’s presence at the base will allow Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard to find spaces between the lines and create opportunities for the forwards in the final third.
This means Jorginho will drop out of the Arsenal lineup that started in the 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground last week.
Attack
Extremely talented academy product Ethan Nwaneri looks set to start again on the right flank, with Leandro Trossard hoping to make a difference with his experience, unpredictability and imagination from the opposite flank.
As Arsenal do not have any natural forwards fit to lead the attack, Arteta is expected to stick with Mikel Merino up top once again. Raheem Sterling, Jorginho and White could be called upon off the bench in the second half if required.
