PSV to Encounter Arsenal in Champions League Round of 16 for Third Consecutive Season

The defending Eredivisie champions, PSV Eindhoven, are set to take on Arsenal for the third consecutive year after being drawn against the London club in Friday’s UEFA Champions League round of 16 draw.

PSV secured their spot in the round of 16 following a surprising victory over Juventus in Eindhoven. After losing the first leg 2-1 in Turin, they turned the tables to win the second leg 3-1, thanks to a dramatic extra-time goal from Ryan Flamingo.

Making their second successive appearance in this stage of the Champions League, PSV will once again face Premier League outfit Arsenal. The two teams have clashed ten times since the turn of the century, with four of those encounters occurring in the past two seasons alone. During the 2022/23 Europa League campaign, PSV and Arsenal met in the group stage, each securing one victory; Arsenal triumphed 1-0 in London while PSV came out on top with a 2-0 win in Eindhoven. In the following season, Arsenal remained unbeaten against PSV, winning 4-0 in Eindhoven and drawing 1-1 at the Philips Stadion.

Previously, in 2007, PSV eliminated Arsenal in the Champions League Round of 16, winning the second leg 1-0 after their first meeting in London ended in a 1-1 draw. Ecuadorian midfielder Edison Mendez etched his name in history with a stunning long-range effort that dashed the hopes of the Londoners.

Arsenal progressed directly to the round of 16 after finishing third in the league stage, boasting the second-best defensive record in the competition, having conceded just three goals in eight matches—only Inter managed to do better with their incredible tally of one goal conceded.

Although the fixture dates are yet to be confirmed, PSV have made a request to UEFA for the first leg to be held in Eindhoven on Wednesday, March 5. This request aims to alleviate the pressure on local law enforcement during the carnival festivities, which are expected to draw large crowds.

The return leg is slated to take place one week later at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on either March 11 or 12.