PSV Eindhoven star aims major dig at Arsenal ahead of Champions League clash

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Hollandse Hoogte/Shutterstock (15176827ac) EINDHOVEN - PSV player Ivan Perisic during the press conference ahead of the meeting with Arsenal FC in the Champions League eighth final in Eindhoven. Psv Eindhoven Press Conference - 03 Mar 2025
Ivan Perisic is feeling confident ahead of PSV’s Champions League clash against Arsenal (Credits: Hollandse Hoogte/Shutterstock)

Ivan Perisic believes PSV Eindhoven can beat Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League clash because Mikel Arteta’s squad have previously lacked what it takes to be winners.

The Dutch side saw off Arne Slot’s Feyenoord to take the Eredivisie title last season but they slipped to a fourth defeat of their league campaign on Saturday with an away loss at Go Ahead Eagles.

In the Champions League, however, PSV saw off Liverpool in the group stage before overcoming Juventus in a two-legged fixture to reach the last 16.

Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s visit to the Philips Stadion on Tuesday night, Perisic, who spent a short period at Tottenham, said: ‘Arsenal often lacked that one bit to win something last year.

‘We have to be fully prepared, then we have a good chance to beat them.

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‘It will be a tough game against a young team with a strong coach. But I believe in our team and we have to play at our best. When you hear the Champions League anthem, it gives something special.”

PSV have not kept a clean sheet in their last seven Eredivisie matches, conceding three against Go Ahead Eagles over the weekend.

epa11938303 PSV player Ivan Perisic attends a training session of the team in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, 03 March 2025. PSV Eindhoven play against Arsenal FC in a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match on 04 March. EPA/KOEN VAN WEEL
Ivan Perisic is 36 now but will still be a threat to Arsenal this evening (Credits: EPA)

However, manager Peter Bosz said he has no plans to adapt his side’s aggressive style which has seen them score in every home game this season.

‘I already indicated last year that defending starts with attacking,” he said when quizzed as to whether he will be more conservative against the Gunners.

‘We immediately put pressure on the ball, which allowed us to win it back quickly and often did not have to defend at all. Football is a complex sport. You cannot point to one single aspect.

‘It is a combination of many factors that have to come together well. It is often small details that prevent us from winning matches. We are working intensively to improve those details and I am responsible for that.’

EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS - MARCH 03: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and defender Jurrien TImber before a press conference before the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal FC at the Phillips Stadium on March 03, 2025 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Jurrien Timber will have a key role for Arsenal against PSV (Picture: Getty)
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: (L-R) Ife Ibrahim abd Declan Rice of Arsenal during a training session before the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal at Sobha Realty Training Centre on March 03, 2025 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Declan Rice’s experience will be key for Arsenal against PSV (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal’s lack of firepower, meanwhile, may offer PSV hope of a rare clean sheet with the Gunners lacking a host of key players including the likes of Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz.

Arteta’s men failed to score in each of their last two games and have fallen 13 points off the pace in the race for the Premier League title.

Asked how he will instil belief in his players following a difficult fortnight, Artea said:’ Well, try to explain how we’re going to do it and why we do things, and they try to deliver that in the best possible way.

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‘In the last two results it’s been very different, in terms of performance as well, not getting the right result that we want, but we’ve certainly been better, especially in the last game with the opposition.

‘And the fact we still have gears, even with the players that we have, some of them have gears to take us to a different level.

‘When it comes to that stage, it’s about lifting the level and the standards, every individual has to be at their best.

‘When we do that, with the team that we have and the connection we have between us, we are a really strong team.’

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