Arsenal are performing well on two fronts this season and the Premier League leaders can secure top spot in Europe League Group A with a game to spare if they can avoid defeat against PSV in Eindhoven this evening. The Gunners needed a late intervention from Granit Xhaka to see the Dutch side off in London and margins could be similarly slim in the return fixture at the Philips Stadion.
Below, you can find info on shots, shots on target, cards, corners, xG and more crammed into our stats pack for today’s game in the Netherlands. Our research should allow you to piece stronger bet builders together later on.
Team Stats
PSV’s underlying stats for the Eredivisie season so far would please even the most demanding analyst, though they have actually dropped more points domestically than Arsenal this term.
The Boeren have been hitting 29% fewer attempts in the Europa League per 90 than in the Netherlands, while they’ve been conceding 28.4% shots more at the other end. Arsenal’s huge shot count against them last week (25) did warp things a little in that regard, however.
Arsenal have been blazing a trail through the Premier League this season where they have dropped just five points in 11 assignments.
The Gunners have been clocking up a hugely impressive 2.27 goals and 15.50 shots per 90 domestically, though their attempts average jumps to 17 per game in the Europa League and Mikel Arteta’s side mustered an eye-watering 25 shots against PSV in North London last week.
Arsenal’s card count per 90 minutes has been similar in both competitions (1.73 PL, 1.75 UEL).
Player Shots and Shots on Target
In-demand wide attacker Cody Gakpo (4.84 shots per 90) has looked too good for the Eredivisie this season and the 23-year-old’s impact in the Europa League (3.8) has been nearly as impressive.
Guus Til (3.13 shots per 90) and Xavi Simons (3.13) haven’t quite been able to replicate their domestic performances in the UEL where they’ve been lodging 1.0 and 1.6 shots per 90 respectively. Simons did account for three of PSV’s four attempts against Arsenal last week, however.
Arsenal’s individual stats from the Premier League highlight the impact that Eddie Nketiah, Fabio Vieira, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka can all make, though it’s better on this occasion to look for the perfect balance between minutes and output from the players’ efforts in the Europa League.
Nketiah has played nearly every minute in Group A for the Gunners and the 23-year-old has been mustering 3.7 shots per 90, while Kieran Tierney (1.7) could be an interesting option at better odds. Fabio Vieira (2.0) managed just one shot against PSV last week compared to the six registered by Nketiah.
Player Goals and Assists
Cody Gakpo has already notched an incredible 18 goal contributions in 11 Eredivisie fixtures this season, splitting his output evenly between goals and assists.
Xavi Simons is averaging a goal or assist per game in the Netherlands, though the 19-year-old has only scored once in four appearances in the Europa League. Gakpo meanwhile, has three goals and one assist in his four UEL runouts.
Midfielder Joey Veerman has scored twice in the competition so far – though he bagged both goals in one game against Zurich on matchday three.
The goals have dried up a little in the Premier League for every member of Arsenal’s front four bar Bukayo Saka. Gabriel Jesus hasn’t scored in three games, Martinelli has found the net just once in six matches, while Odegaard hasn’t registered in any of his last six domestic contests.
Six different players have scored in the Europa League for Arsenal since August, though Eddie Nkeitiah is the only Gunner to have notched twice. Granit Xhaka scored the winner against PSV last week.
PSV Cards
In the Eredivisie, PSV don’t tend to accumulate many cards, though midfielders Erick Gutierrez and Ibrahim Sangare – who make the domestic list – are worth tracking again this evening.
Sangare has been fouling a notable 1.8 times per Europa League appearance at the base of PSV’s midfield. Erick Gutierrez meanwhile, also ranks highly in the foul per game stakes (1.5) and he was the only PSV player cautioned at the Emirates last week.
Right back Phillipp Mwene committed two fouls in that game and the 28-year-old could be a card candidate this evening against the Gunners’ pacey attack.
Arsenal Cards Drawn
Albert Lokonga has been fouled 2.73 and 0.8 times per 90 in the Premier and Europa Leagues this season and the Belgian’s tussle with Erick Gutierrez could generate a card or two this evening.
Right next to Gutierrez, Ibrahim Sangare could get physical with Eddie Nketiah when the latter breaks forward from deep on transitions.
On the flank, Gabriel Martinelli, who has been fouled 2.31 times per 90 in the Premier League, will enjoy running at Phillipp Mwene. Mwene was a little fortunate to escape The Emirates Stadium without a booking last week and he might not be so lucky this time around.
Match-Ups to watch
Erick Gutierrez vs Albert Lokonga
Ibrahim Sangare vs Eddie Nketiah
Phillipp Mwene vs Gabriel Martinelli
Arsenal Cards
Despite dominating the game, Arsenal picked up three bookings to PSV’s one in London last week and tough-tackling pair Granit Xhaka and Kieran Tierney were both among the Gunners’ collared players.
Xhaka (2 UEL cards) is a prime card candidate to be cautioned again this evening, while Tierney along with fellow fullback Takehiro Tomiyasu are likely to feel the heat more than Arsenal’s central defenders later today when they face a PSV team that loves to attack down the flanks.
PSV Cards Drawn
Guus Til (fouled 0.78 times per 90) will likely be deployed as PSV’s further-forward player this evening, though the 24-year-old is really more of an attacking midfielder and he could run into Granit Xhaka this evening when he drifts deep.
There is even greater card drawing potential in wider positions for PSV however, with Cody Gakpo (fouled 2.32 times per 90) and Xavi Simons (3.23) both magnets for ill-timed challenges.
Simons has been fouled 2.8 times per appearance in the Europa League and his pace and trickery should trouble Kieran Tierney. Likewise, in-form Cody Gakpo has the talent to put Tomiyasu on edge on the opposite side.
Match-Ups to watch
Granit Xhaka vs Guus Til
Kieran Tierney vs Xavi Simons
Takehiro Tomiyasu vs Cody Gakpo
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If you’re having a bet on this one then good luck. But, remember to stay sensible with your stakes and stay in control at all times.
