Arsenal are back in the Champions League knockout stage and looking to go further than last season’s quarter-final exit.
Their last-16 tie against PSV Eindhoven is a test of their European credentials. With Liverpool pulling away at the top of the Premier League, a domestic title looks unlikely.
Mikel Arteta’s are 13 points behind the leaders, meaning their strongest shot at success lies in Europe.
Arsenal impressed in the group stage, with only Liverpool and Barcelona outperforming them. Their defensive record was particularly strong.
However, knockout football presents a different challenge. Arteta has refused to entertain title talk, keeping his focus solely on PSV.
“I just see one opponent, which is PSV,” he said. “That’s it.”
He knows the Dutch side are dangerous. They eliminated Juventus in the previous round, showing resilience and attacking quality.
Arsenal’s attack has looked blunt in recent weeks. Injuries to key forwards have left them short of firepower.
Goalless draws against West Ham United and Nottingham Forest highlighted their struggles.
PSV’s defensive record offers Arsenal an opening. They have kept just one clean sheet in the Champions League this season and have lost twice to Go Ahead Eagles in the past two weeks.
However, the hosts are unbeaten in four home games against Arsenal, making this a tricky fixture.
The Gunners must strike the right balance between defensive stability and attacking intent. They cannot afford to rely on a second-leg comeback if things go wrong.
Arteta’s message to his squad is clear: execute the plan, lift performance levels, and deliver.
“Every individual has to be at their best,” he added. “When we do that, we are a really strong team.”
Winning the Champions League would be a monumental achievement, but Arsenal cannot look past PSV. Arteta’s ‘tunnel vision’ approach is crucial.
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