For the first time in five years, PSV will play again in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. The first match will be played on Wednesday, visiting Arsenal FC. Last year both clubs also played each other, when the English drew the longest. Furthermore, European results are balanced between the two.
It is the fifth time Arsenal FC and PSV have played each other in a European competition. In the eight games played, PSV won twice, three times the game was finished with a draw on the scoreboard and three times the victory went to the club from London. The last time PSV won an away game against an English club in the UEFA Champions League was some time ago. Visiting Newcastle United in the 1997-1998 season, PSV took the three points back to Eindhoven after a 2-0 win. Luc Nilis and Gilles de Bilde were responsible for the goals.
Back at the highestlevel
In 2018-2019, PSV last competed in the prestigious tournament. The club then finished in fourth place in tough pool, below FC Barcelona, Internazionale and Tottenham Hotspur. The last UEFA Champions League encounter with 'the Gunners' goes back to the 2006-2007 season, in the first round of the knockout phase. Led by current national coach Ronald Koeman, PSV won 2-1 over two games. In Eindhoven, Edison Méndez accounted for the only goal of the match; in London, it was 1-1.
Last season
Last year, PSV took on Arsenal FC. PSV's starting lineup then consisted of only a few players who also travel to England this week. Only Walter Benítez, André Ramalho, Joey Veerman and Guus Til started within the lines then. The match ended in a 1-0 win for the home club, through a goal by the now departed Granit Xhaka. In Eindhoven, PSV straightened its back, winning 2-0 on a magical night at Philips Stadion. Luuk and Joey then signed for the goals. Both clubs managed to winter, but did not make it to the end.
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Extraordinary statistic
PSV has not lost yet this season. The same goes for Wednesday's opponent, which failed to achieve a victory only against Fulham FC (2-2). For coach Mikel Arteta's formation, which finished2nd in the Premier League last year, the 2016-2017 season was the last time they participated in the main tournament. They survived the group stage, but in the last 16, FC Bayern Munich proved a size too big.
Most Americans
PSV's selection features no fewer than three American players in Sergiño Dest, Ricardo Pepi and Malik Tillman. It is the highest number in UEFA Champions League history. Manchester United FC, FC Barcelona and Rangers FC previously shared the record, with all three ever featuring two Americans in action in a single season.
Familiar face
With Ukrainian Oleksandr Zinchenko in the squad, PSV takes on an old acquaintance. 'Zina' came over on loan from Manchester City in 2016-2017, then as a winger cum midfielder. He played seventeen games for PSV 1, including a couple in the UEFA Champions League. As a left back, he is now a regular under Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta.
