By Richard Clarke in Eindhoven
Recollections of Real Madrid crept into Arsène Wenger’s thoughts as he looked forward to tonight’s Champions League Knockout Round first leg at PSV Eindhoven.
On Wednesday, it will be exactly a year since Arsenal’s season-altering win at the Bernabeu at the same stage of Europe’s top competition.
Twelve months ago, Wenger’s side had just been knocked out of both domestic cups and were doggedly pursuing Tottenham for fourth place in the Premiership. They overtook their neighbours on the final day of the campaign and a few days later so nearly took home the Champions League trophy from the Stade de France. The manager later identified the first game of the Knockout stage as the catalyst for change.
This year Arsenal return to Continental action after the winter hiatus in much better shape. However, football is a fragile sport. With Chelsea coming up in the Carling Cup Final on Sunday, Wenger was prepared to admit that this was a “make or break” week in the Club’s season. A pair of sound defeats would certainly burst the bubble of optimism floating over Emirates Stadium at the moment.
“It is fair to say that [it is a make-or-break week] yes,” he said. “But remember that we had the same question when we played at Real Madrid and it made our season.
“Since December I feel my team has taken off. The understanding in the squad is good and the spirit is very high.
“Now we are ready for a new challenge - like the last 16 of the Champions League.”
PSV will never match the glamour of the Galacticos but the town itself has at least tried to put on a show this week. It is festival time in this industrial Dutch city and it appears most of the inhabitants have decided to don fancy dress by way of celebration.
However their team are likely to show off rather fewer frills this evening. Ronald Koeman’s side has fashioned a compact, counter-attacking unit and their efficient style has taken them five points clear at the top of the Dutch League.
PSV will be anxiously waiting on news of Jefferson Farfan this evening. The Peruvian striker, who has hit 15 goals in 21 games this season, hurt his foot on Saturday and did not train on Monday.
For his part Wenger named an 18-man squad on the eve of the game. Justin Hoyte’s hamstring injury, coupled with Emmanuel Eboue's lingering ankle problem, means Johan Djourou or William Gallas will fill in at right back. Expect Thierry Henry and Emmanuel Adebayor to be paired up front in a 4-4-2 formation. Wenger adopted a 4-5-1 in Europe last season but the manager is expected to revert to a more attacking system tonight as he goes in search of the crucial component in last season’s Champions League run — a first leg lead.
"We will try to win,” said Wenger. “We have to try to win. Koeman will try to win aswell but in his own way. They are a team built to play counter-attacking football. They are quick so I feel they might sit off a bit and try to catch us on the break.
“In Holland you always get intelligent football with a good technical level. But we have learnt through the years that, at this stage of the competition, it is a game of 180 minutes and every minute is vital
“I know we may be a fraction the favourites. But we have enough experience to know that is only dictated by your environment, how well you prepare mentally and how you focus.”
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