Arsenal won their first-ever visit to Eindhoven in 2002, but are winless in four outings at Philips Stadion since.
The Gunners have won only three of 11 trips to the Netherlands; PSV have won eight of 21 home games against English opposition, including beating Liverpool during the league phase.
PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal Preview
For the third successive season, PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal will go head-to-head. The last two seasons, this duo have met in various group stages, with the Gunners winning both encounters in North London, but failing to win either visit to the Netherlands. Now clashing in the knockout phase for the first time in 18 years, the stakes have certainly be raised.
Now out of the Premier League title race, 13 points adrift champions-elect Liverpool, the Champions League certainly has become Arsenal's priority. Mikel Arteta's team enjoyed a successful league phase campaign, winning six of eight fixtures, losing only once, memorably beating both Paris Saint-Germain and Sporting CP, thereby finishing third. However, last season was the first time the Gunners had reached the Champions League quarter-finals since 2010, ousting Porto on penalties at this stage before a narrow 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich.
Now though, Arsenal travel to Eindhoven struggling to score goals, beaten 1-0 by West Ham, before last Wednesday's goalless draw at Nottingham Forest, which was the final nail in the coffin of their flailing title aspirations. So, it's certainly unclear where the Gunners' goals are going to come from, but will they leave in an advantageous position, ahead of Wednesday's second leg in North London?
PSV Eindhoven meantime are aiming to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2007 when, coincidentally, it was Arsenal who they beat in the round of 16. This season, the Red and Whites won four of their final five league phase fixtures, enjoying victories over Girona, Shakhtar Donetsk, Crvena zvezda and Liverpool, thereby surging up to 14th.
This saw PSV take on Juventus in the first knockout round, beaten 2-1 in Turin but then prevailing 2-1 in Eindhoven, Ivan Perišić on target in both legs before Ismael Saibari struck, thereby forcing extra time, in which Ryan Flamingo poked home the winner from close-range. This win extends PSV's unbeaten home run in European competition to 15, losing only four of their last 36 outings at Philips Stadion in UEFA competition, dating back to 2018.
Domestically, Peter Bosz's side have endured a bit of a nightmare week. Last Wednesday, they were dumped out of the KNVB Beker by Go Ahead Eagles in the semi-finals, before being beaten by the same opposition at De Adelaarshorst on Saturday. This is a major blow to their hopes of retaining the Eredivisie title, now eight points adrift leaders Ajax, having been miles clear at the top not so long ago, starting the season with 14 wins from their first 15. Setting that to one side, a huge European night awaits at Philips Stadion, so can PSV beat beleaguered Arsenal?
PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 10.
- PSV Eindhoven Wins: 2. Draws: 4. Arsenal Wins: 4.
PSV Eindhoven Team News
American trio Sergiño Dest, Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi are all sidelined, as is Esmir Bajraktarević, while with left-back Mauro Júnior injured, Man United loanee Tyrell Malacia will start at left-back.
Former Arsenal striker Lucas Pérez joined PSV last month, but did so after the UEFA squad registration deadline, meaning he's ineligible. Despite scoring during both legs against Juventus, Ivan Perišić could remain on the bench, with Johan Bakayoko and Noa Lang getting the nod out-wide. Rick Karsdorp, Joey Veerman and Luuk de Jong would all miss the second leg if cautioned.
PSV Eindhoven predicted lineup vs Arsenal: (4-2-3-1): Benítez; Ledezma, Boscagli, Flamingo, Malacia; Saibari, Veerman, Schouten, Bakayoko, Lang; de Jong.
PSV Eindhoven Player to Watch vs Arsenal
Luuk de Jong will make his 50th Champions League appearance, excluding qualifiers, scoring 14 times in this competition so far, also on target when Arsenal visited Eindhoven in the Europa League two years ago.
Arsenal Team News
Mikel Arteta still has very limited attacking options at his disposal, considering Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are out for the rest of the season, while Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are also still sidelined. Raheem Sterling has not started since his disastrous performance at Leicester, so Mikel Merino is likely to once again be deployed as a makeshift number nine, scoring twice off the bench at the King Power, but looking rather lost as a centre-forward since.
Elsewhere, Myles Lewis-Skelly is likely to return at left-back, having been suspended at the City Ground, returning in place of Riccardo Calafiori. Lastly, the only other decision Arteta has to make is midfield, given that Thomas Partey has been his go-to, but Jorginho did come in last mid-week; Sterling is one booking away from sitting out the return leg.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs PSV Eindhoven: (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Partey, Ødegaard; Nwaneri, Trossard, Merino.
Arsenal Player to Watch vs PSV Eindhoven
17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri has seven goals to his name this season, opening his Champions League account at Girona in January, so will the youngster shine again?
PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal Prediction
We cannot see how Arsenal are going to score, so we're backing PSV to prevail, establishing a first leg advantage, ahead of the return tie in North London: PSV Eindhoven 1-0 Arsenal.
PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal FAQs - Champions League
How to watch PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal Champions League game on TV channel?
PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal Champions League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video
- USA: Paramount+ & ViX
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal Champions League game on live streaming?
PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal Champions League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video
- USA: Paramount+ & ViX
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal in the Champions League?
PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal takes place on Tuesday 4 March 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (GMT), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PST).