Synopsis
Arsenal faces PSV Eindhoven in the UCL Round of 16, with coach Mikel Arteta confident about his team's readiness. The two-legged match kicks off on March 4, followed by the return leg at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal aims for further progression in the tournament, while also competing in the Premier League.Key Takeaways
- Arsenal drawn against PSV Eindhoven in UCL Round of 16.
- Mikel Arteta confident his team will be prepared.
- First leg on March 4-5 at Philips Stadion.
- Second leg on March 11-12 at Emirates Stadium.
- PSV currently second in Eredivisie, trailing Ajax.
London, Feb 21 (NationPress) The esteemed English club Arsenal has been paired with the Dutch team PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Head coach Mikel Arteta acknowledged the quality of their rivals but expressed confidence that his team ‘will be ready’ for the challenge ahead.
The Champions League draw, held on Friday, set the stage for a two-leg encounter against PSV next month. The initial match will occur at Philips Stadion on March 4-5, followed by the return leg at Emirates Stadium the subsequent week on March 11-12.
“We’ve faced them before; they are a strong team. We understand the challenge, and it will be a tough battle. At this stage, every opponent is formidable. When the moment arrives, we will be ready,” Arteta stated in a press briefing.
If Arsenal progresses beyond PSV to reach the quarterfinals, they will meet either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid. Potential semifinal foes could include Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Club Brugge, or Aston Villa, all drawn in their half of the bracket.
Currently, PSV sits second in the Eredivisie, trailing leaders Ajax by two points. They secured their spot in the last 16 by finishing 14th in the Champions League standings, achieving four wins and two draws in their eight matches. This led to a playoff round against Juventus, where they overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit by winning 3-1 at home in extra time during the second leg.
Arsenal will host West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday, as they pursue league leaders Liverpool, who hold an eight-point advantage over the Gunners but have played one match more.
As Liverpool prepares for their match against Manchester City on Sunday, Arteta emphasized that with a long season ahead, every game is critical, and his team ‘must do our job’ regardless of Liverpool’s outcome.
“We must focus on our performance. Tomorrow's match will be challenging. If we succeed, we will be watching the Sunday game closely. With 13 matches remaining, there’s much at stake. We are seasoned in the Premier League and recognize the challenges posed by every rival,” he concluded.
