Arsenal doesn't have to wait long to put the weekend's disappointing draw to Southampton behind them, as they're back in action on Thursday night. The Gunners make the trip to the Netherlands to face off against PSV Eindhoven for the second time in the past week in the group stages.
The last clash ended in a 1-0 victory for Mikel Arteta's side, giving them the edge in qualifying from the group as well as going into the upcoming fixture. While they bossed the game, it took a second-half strike from Granit Xhaka to earn all three points in a match they could have been out of sight in.
"We are really pleased with the performance and with what the boys showed," The manager said in a review of the game at the Emirates Stadium. "We had some really dominant and good moments, but we lacked in the final third and the final action to put more shots on target and to score more goals, I think."
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The victory guaranteed the fact that Arsenal would progress from their group, however, it doesn't mean they have nothing to play for in their final two games. That's because deciding first and second in the changed European format is far more important, with those who finish second having to play an extra game after the group against a side that drops from the Champions League.
Not only does that give you a potentially tough opponent straight after progressing from the group, but it also gives the side another game in an already congested fixture list. If the Gunners are to avoid that, they merely have to avoid defeat against PSV on Thursday - while defeat means they would have to beat FC Zurich in their final game to secure top spot.
Preparation and momentum going into the matches in midweek can be crucial, and while Arsenal haven't had the ideal result to go into the clash with, their opponents have had far worse. That's because PSV lost their last match 4-2 away at Groningen, with a full-strength side struggling to earn a result.
It could prove to be a huge boost in preparations for the Gunners, who will be looking to wrap up the group with a game to spare and missing out on the extra game between qualifications.
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