20-02-2007, 09:10 AM
van uefa.com
Koeman plans Arsenal ambush
With the local region enjoying its annual carnival celebrations, PSV Eindhoven hope to maintain the festive mood by inflicting a first defeat of 2007 on first knockout round visitors Arsenal FC.
Striking doubt
The main worry for the Dutch title-holders and league leaders is an injury sustained by Jefferson Farfán during Saturday's 2-0 Eredivisie victory at Heracles Almelo. The Peru striker, who scored the opener to take his season's tally to 15 from 21 games, would be sorely missed. "He is a major doubt," confirmed coach Ronald Koeman. "He took a heavy knock to the foot and it is still swollen. He didn't train today [Monday]."
Brazilian promise
If Farfán misses out, his place is likely to be taken by Diego Tardelli, the Brazilian forward who came on as a substitute at the weekend and capped a strong performance by scoring with an emphatic left-foot finish. "He is a talented player who is developing a better understanding of what we expect from him all the time," said the PSV boss.
Chinese premiere
Ibrahim Afellay has ankle ligament damage and will not feature, however Manuel Da Costa is fit again and could return to the back four. Intriguingly, another candidate is the 25-year-old left-sided defender Xiang Sun, who made his PSV debut against Heracles. "He did well and is one of the possibilities," said Koeman. His participation would be the first UEFA Champions League appearance by a Chinese player.
Liberating
PSV's trainer acknowledges that his defence is less impregnable than earlier in the campaign - when they dominated Group C alongside Liverpool FC - but he knows his players can rise to the occasion. "Matches like this can actually be easy to play in, because they act as a kind of liberation. Arsenal are a great footballing side, maybe more difficult than other English teams to play against. But they are not unbeatable, as their league position shows. We know we can raise our game."
Intelligent opposition
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is only too aware of what awaits his team. "You always come up against intelligent opposition in the Netherlands, and PSV have been dominating their domestic scene for years. They will give us a tough time." However, he believes the visitors start as slight favourites. "Since December, things have taken off for us. We are playing well and developing a good understanding. The team spirit is very high." Arsenal have won four of their last five Premiership games, yet were held at home by Blackburn Rovers FC in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Make or break
With Justin Hoyte and Emmanuel Eboué injured, the right-back berth could be filled by either William Gallas or Johan Djourou. Netherlands forward Robin van Persieââ¬â¢s broken metatarsal will preclude his involvement on home soil. Wenger realises that his charges are at a make-or-break stage of the season, yet relishes the challenge. "We were in the same situation this time last year when we went to Spain to play Real Madrid [CF], and that made our season. So it's just down to how we perform."
Probable teams
PSV: Heurelho Gomes; Jan Kromkamp, Alex, Manuel Da Costa, Carlos Salcido; Edison Méndez, Timmy Simons, Phillip Cocu, Jason Culina; Diego Tardelli, Arouna Koné.
Arsenal: Jens Lehmann; William Gallas, Philippe Senderos, Kolo Touré, Gaël Clichy; TomÃ¡à ¡ Rosický, Cesc Fabregas, Gilberto, Fredrik Ljungberg, Aleksandr Hleb; Thierry Henry.
Koeman plans Arsenal ambush
With the local region enjoying its annual carnival celebrations, PSV Eindhoven hope to maintain the festive mood by inflicting a first defeat of 2007 on first knockout round visitors Arsenal FC.
Striking doubt
The main worry for the Dutch title-holders and league leaders is an injury sustained by Jefferson Farfán during Saturday's 2-0 Eredivisie victory at Heracles Almelo. The Peru striker, who scored the opener to take his season's tally to 15 from 21 games, would be sorely missed. "He is a major doubt," confirmed coach Ronald Koeman. "He took a heavy knock to the foot and it is still swollen. He didn't train today [Monday]."
Brazilian promise
If Farfán misses out, his place is likely to be taken by Diego Tardelli, the Brazilian forward who came on as a substitute at the weekend and capped a strong performance by scoring with an emphatic left-foot finish. "He is a talented player who is developing a better understanding of what we expect from him all the time," said the PSV boss.
Chinese premiere
Ibrahim Afellay has ankle ligament damage and will not feature, however Manuel Da Costa is fit again and could return to the back four. Intriguingly, another candidate is the 25-year-old left-sided defender Xiang Sun, who made his PSV debut against Heracles. "He did well and is one of the possibilities," said Koeman. His participation would be the first UEFA Champions League appearance by a Chinese player.
Liberating
PSV's trainer acknowledges that his defence is less impregnable than earlier in the campaign - when they dominated Group C alongside Liverpool FC - but he knows his players can rise to the occasion. "Matches like this can actually be easy to play in, because they act as a kind of liberation. Arsenal are a great footballing side, maybe more difficult than other English teams to play against. But they are not unbeatable, as their league position shows. We know we can raise our game."
Intelligent opposition
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is only too aware of what awaits his team. "You always come up against intelligent opposition in the Netherlands, and PSV have been dominating their domestic scene for years. They will give us a tough time." However, he believes the visitors start as slight favourites. "Since December, things have taken off for us. We are playing well and developing a good understanding. The team spirit is very high." Arsenal have won four of their last five Premiership games, yet were held at home by Blackburn Rovers FC in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Make or break
With Justin Hoyte and Emmanuel Eboué injured, the right-back berth could be filled by either William Gallas or Johan Djourou. Netherlands forward Robin van Persieââ¬â¢s broken metatarsal will preclude his involvement on home soil. Wenger realises that his charges are at a make-or-break stage of the season, yet relishes the challenge. "We were in the same situation this time last year when we went to Spain to play Real Madrid [CF], and that made our season. So it's just down to how we perform."
Probable teams
PSV: Heurelho Gomes; Jan Kromkamp, Alex, Manuel Da Costa, Carlos Salcido; Edison Méndez, Timmy Simons, Phillip Cocu, Jason Culina; Diego Tardelli, Arouna Koné.
Arsenal: Jens Lehmann; William Gallas, Philippe Senderos, Kolo Touré, Gaël Clichy; TomÃ¡à ¡ Rosický, Cesc Fabregas, Gilberto, Fredrik Ljungberg, Aleksandr Hleb; Thierry Henry.
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