Arsenal in Champions League action against PSV on Tuesday night
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Arsenal shift their focus to Champions League football on Tuesday night as they put the final touches on their preparations for a clash against Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.
The Gunners finished a comfortable third in the league phase, losing just one of their eight games to put them straight into the round of 16. PSV finished outside the top eight but done enough to clinch a play-off spot and defeated Serie A giants Juventus over two legs to set up a two-legged tie with Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been struggling for form of late and have won just one of their last four games in all competitions. A plethora of injuries in the forward department has left Arteta short of options and the Gunners have failed to score in three of their last four games. They sit 13 points adrift of Liverpool in the Premier League title race but have played a game fewer.
Timber wants to change narrative
Arsenal’s season is at threat of fading out before the March international break. They are still in the title race from a mathematical stand point but will need a huge dip in form from Liverpool to give them a chance to get back in the race.
The Champions League still provides the Gunners with an opportunity to win a major piece of silverware. Defender Jurrien Timber said on Monday the Champions League was a chance to give Arsenal a successful season. He said: “We showed in the group stages that we did really well, we have a good team and this is a beautiful game and a chance to change the narrative to win.”
He added: “I don’t see it as negative but we’ve been through a lot, especially the last couple of weeks, but it’s a challenge for us and we have to take it. We have to score tomorrow, we have to win and in the Champions League you only have two games so you don’t get second chances, so we have to go for it in this game.”
Ex-Tottenham man comments on Arsenal’s lack of success
Former Tottenham Hotspur player Ivan Perisic is in line to face off against Arsenal for PSV. He was speaking on Monday and believes the Dutch club have a good chance to beat Arsenal in the home leg.
He said: “It is going to be a tough. They are a really, really good team - a young team with a good coach. But over the last years they are always missing something to step up and win something. But we have to be ready. I know we are going to have a good chance to beat them tomorrow. I really believe in my team, tactically we really have to be on the top level to beat them.”
Reacting to Perisic’s comments on talkSPORT, former Rangers and Scotland international Ally McCoist agreed with the ex-Tottenham man when it came to Arsenal lacking that extra bit needed within the squad to clinch silverware. McCoist said: “He’s right.”