UEL Match Preview PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal
The Gunners hold a five-point lead over their second-placed Dutch counterparts, who could be left to battle for second place without a satisfactory result here.
A place in the knockout round playoffs should now be the goal for Van Nistelrooy's side, who could guarantee a second-placed finish with a point if the scoreline in Bodo/Glimt's clash with Zurich goes their way, but the Dutch powerhouses did not warm up for this game in ideal fashion.
PSV's away day misfortunes carried over into the Eredivisie as they lost 4-2 to Groningen at the weekend, but their formula for success at the Philips Stadion has seen the hosts win five and draw one of their last six in front of their own fans in all tournaments.
Arsenal struggling to kill games off while a goal to the good is nothing new, and that lack of ruthlessness cost the Gunners dear during their trip to Southampton, who limited Arteta's men to just one strike before hitting back to claim a well-earned draw.
That 1-1 at St Mary's did at least extend Arsenal's unbeaten run to nine matches in all competitions, and the North London giants have made the net ripple in each of their last 16 Europa League fixtures away from home, but a hint of apprehension may be creeping in as the unforgiving fixture schedule rears its ugly head.
Arsenal have failed to win on their last two visits to PSV Eindhoven's turf - losing 1-0 in the last 16 of the 2006-07 Champions League after playing out a 1-1 draw in 2004-05 - and one can only hope that football takes centre stage rather than a repeat of the fan disorder which marred last week's Emirates clash.
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