Arsenal has a 67.4% chance of defeating PSV at the Emirates Stadium, according to the Opta supercomputer, which predicts that they will make a successful return to the UEFA Champions League.
On the first occasion these teams faced off in the competition, Gilberto Silva scored the fastest goal in Champions League history (at the time, 20 seconds).
Luuk de Jong of PSV has scored nine goals in his last eight games across all competitions; he has only failed to score in one of those contests.
Preview
After lengthy absences from Europe's top competition, both Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven are making their UEFA Champions League debuts in this match.
Arsenal will make their Champions League debut after losing to Carlo Ancelotti's Bayern Munich 10-2 on aggregate in the tournament's last 16 in 2016–17. Arsène Wenger's departure from the team, Unai Emery's inability to win in Europe—which was demonstrated by a devastating 4-1 loss to Chelsea in the 2019 Europa League final—and Mikel Arteta's appointment—followed by a flurry of boardroom changes—have all occurred during that time. Arteta is now determined to return Arsenal to the top of both the domestic and European game.
PSV has returned to the top after a four-year hiatus. Since their last Champions League appearance, they have had six different head coaches, including caretakers, four runners-up finishes, and one season that was postponed in the Eredivisie. Following three eliminations in the qualifying round during that time, the Dutch team defeated Rangers in August to return to the group stage.
PSV will be participating in the competition for the 17th time, while Arsenal won the Champions League 19 times in a row from 1998 to 2017. When the Gunners last competed in this competition, Bukayo Saka hadn't even taken his GCSE exams, so both teams will feel that their comebacks to Europe's top table are long overdue. Before he became a star player on the football field, he was a star student in the classroom, earning four A* and three A grades.
However, in all of Arsenal's Champions League history, only Olympiakos (20) has participated in more tournament seasons than Arsenal without taking home a championship. They tie the Greek team this campaign with their 20th qualification.
The fact that Luuk de Jong is the only player from PSV who played in their final match in the competition in 2018–19, along with the fact that there will be no players from their previous appearance in Europe’s top tournament, highlight the drastic changes that have taken place at Arsenal since 2017.
Arsenal easily defeated the overmatched Dutch league leaders in their return to Europe's top club competition, which they had not participated in in six years.
Arsenal's "beautiful" return to the Champions League was praised by Mikel Arteta after the team destroyed PSV Eindhoven 4-0 on Wednesday thanks to goals from Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka.
For the first time in six years, Arsenal was back in Europe's top club competition, and they showed they could handle the step up by easily defeating the overwhelming Dutch league leaders.
Saka scored his first goal of the competition and then set up Trossard to double the lead as Arteta's team ran riot in the first half at the Emirates Stadium.
Along with his scoring prowess, Trossard also provided assistance for Gabriel Jesus' third goal, and after the break, Martin Odegaard sealed the rout.
"It was a lovely evening following a very long period. The Champions League soundtrack and the overall atmosphere were fantastic. Before the game, it was emotional," Arteta remarked.
"We have to harness that force. Though I wanted to keep my emotions in check, I was really excited. These are the nights we must cherish. It's an event to cherish."
Arsenal last faced Bayern Munich in the competition in March 2017, and the team humiliatingly won 10-2 on aggregate in the round of 16.
The Gunners, who have never played in the Champions League before, are a far more formidable team now and should easily win Group B, which also includes Lens and Sevilla.
In the Premier League, Arsenal is undefeated with four wins out of five as they look to avenge their collapse in the title fight the previous year.
Yet, Arteta's team is also highly motivated by the opportunity to go to the later stages of the Champions League, a competition they have never won, and they are up to the challenge as a result.
That's the difference: we performed exceptionally well in both boxes. It is entertaining to watch this squad run with such energy. Arteta remarked, "The finishing was excellent."
Although it is remarkable to score four goals against a team that has won every game this season, there was still room for improvement."
After David Raya, the on-loan Brentford keeper, took Aaron Ramsdale's spot for Sunday's Premier League victory at Everton, Arteta was rewarded with another clean sheet in his first game as a manager in the Champions League.
Before kickoff, there was a tangible sense of excitement in the Emirates Stadium.
The Arsenal supporters were so enthralled with the event that they responded to the Champions League anthem with an ear-splitting roar, despite the torrential rain.
Pitch Fever
When Saka gave Arsenal the lead after just eight minutes, the noise from the stands became unbearable.
Walter Benitez of PSV narrowly parried Odegaard's effort from the edge of the area, and Saka quickly recovered to finish expertly from close range.
Rain was falling heavily, but in the 20th minute, the dynamic Saka found Trossard with a pinpoint pass, and the striker finished well on his first attempt, beating Benitez from the edge of the area.
Jesus repeatedly tore through the PSV defense, demonstrating that his boyhood enthusiasm for the Champions League hasn't diminished. This week, Jesus revealed that he frequently skipped school to watch matches on television as a child.
David Raya, who retained his spot after the on-loan Brentford goalkeeper took Aaron Ramsdale's place for Sunday's Premier League victory at Everton, gave manager Adam Arteta another clean sheet in his first Champions League game.
Before kickoff, there was a noticeable sense of excitement in the Emirates Stadium.
The Arsenal supporters were so excited about the event that they responded to the Champions League anthem with an incredible roar, despite the intense downpour.
After 38 minutes, Jesus increased his tally to 14 goals in 22 Champions League appearances for Manchester City.
After Trossard's pinpoint cross was received, Jesus punished PSV's appalling marking by smashing a shot into the far corner from eight yards out.
Arsenal hadn't scored three goals in the first half of a Champions League match since they played Galatasaray in 2014.
Arteta made a number of second-half substitutions to shield his important players in anticipation of Sunday's north London derby against Tottenham.
In the 70th minute, Odegaard scored a fantastic 20-yard strike past Benitez, capping Arsenal's ideal evening and making sure the atmosphere didn't die.
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