Ivan Perisic is exuding confidence as PSV prepares for their Champions League showdown with Arsenal. The former Tottenham winger believes his team has a solid chance of winning the first leg, pointing to Arsenal’s struggles in delivering winning performances when it matters most.
PSV, who claimed the Eredivisie title last season after outpacing Feyenoord, suffered a disappointing 3-2 defeat against Go Ahead Eagles over the weekend. However, their European campaign has been far more promising, with victories over Liverpool in the group stage and a hard-fought win over Juventus to secure a last-16 spot.
Looking ahead to Tuesday’s clash at the Philips Stadion, Perisic emphasized the importance of preparation. “Last year, Arsenal often missed that extra edge to secure silverware,” he said. “If we are fully prepared, we have a great chance to beat them.”
PSV’s defensive record is concerning, with no clean sheets in their last seven Eredivisie matches. Despite conceding three goals in their most recent outing, manager Peter Bosz has no intention of altering his team’s aggressive approach.
“I’ve always maintained that defense starts with attack,” Bosz explained. “We apply high pressure, win the ball quickly, and that reduces the need to defend deeper. Football is a complex game—it’s never just one thing. Small details often determine the outcome, and we are working hard to refine those details.”
For Arsenal, the absence of key players like Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz could make finding the net difficult. Mikel Arteta’s men have failed to score in their last two matches, slipping 13 points behind in the Premier League title race.
Addressing his squad’s recent struggles, Arteta remained optimistic. “It’s about understanding how we’re going to improve and executing it as best as possible,” he stated. “Our recent performances have been mixed, but we know we have the ability to raise our level. Every player must be at their peak to bring out the best in this team.”