Arsenal's Champions League Quest: Can Mikel Arteta's Gunners Overcome Injury Woes and PSV Eindhoven?

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Arsenal's season is on the line as they face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League last 16 first leg on Tuesday, with the Gunners' Premier League title hopes all but extinguished. Mikel Arteta's side has been plagued by injuries to key players, including Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus, leaving their attack in tatters. The recent loss to West Ham and stalemate at Nottingham Forest have only added to the sense of desperation, with the Gunners failing to score in back-to-back Premier League games for the first time in nearly two years.

The statistics are stark, with Arsenal's seven defeats this season all coming when they have failed to reach 28% shots on target. The loss of Saka, in particular, has been significant, with the England winger's ability to create big chances sorely missed. Arsenal's makeshift attack will need to find a way to break down PSV's defense, with the Dutch side looking to capitalize on the Gunners' woes. PSV's players, including Ivan Perisic, have warned that they need to start working together as a team if they are to stand any chance against Arsenal.

One potential solution for Arsenal is to look to their midfield for goals, with Declan Rice emerging as a key player in recent weeks. The England midfielder has created more big chances than any other Premier League player since the turn of the year, and his influence could be crucial in the tie against PSV. Arsenal's set piece expertise could also be a key factor, with the Gunners having scored several important goals from dead ball situations this season. However, they will need to be wary of PSV's counter-attacking threat, with the Dutch side having eliminated Juventus in the knockout round playoff last month.

As the two sides prepare to face off at the Philips Stadion, the pressure is mounting on Arteta to find a way to overcome his side's injury woes and advance to the quarterfinals. The Gunners' defensive record in the Champions League has been impressive, with only three goals conceded in Europe all season, but they will need to find a way to break down PSV's defense if they are to have any chance of progressing. The first leg will be a crucial encounter, with the winner gaining a significant advantage in the tie. Arsenal will be forced to wear an unusual kit combination, pairing their black away shirt with their white home shorts, due to a clash with PSV's home kit.

Here are the key statistics and facts to consider ahead of the tie:

• Arsenal have failed to score in back-to-back Premier League games for the first time in nearly two years
• The Gunners have conceded only three goals in Europe all season
• Declan Rice has created more big chances than any other Premier League player since the turn of the year
• PSV eliminated Juventus in the knockout round playoff last month
• Arsenal will wear an unusual kit combination due to a clash with PSV's home kit

The stage is set for a thrilling encounter between two sides with everything to play for. Can Arsenal overcome their injury woes and advance to the quarterfinals, or will PSV Eindhoven pull off a major upset?

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