It’s been a long time since the iconic Champions League anthem played out around the Emirates – far too long.
There’s something enormously alluring and exciting about this competition and it’s only having spent so long in inferior competitions or, indeed, out of European football altogether, that you really appreciate how special it is.
We’ve had some truly unforgettable moments in the Champions League over the years (and some eminently forgettable ones too!) and tonight, after some six years away, we finally have the chance to resume our journey and enjoy dining at Europe’s top table again.
I can’t wait and I’m sure the players feel exactly the same way. Unlike me, however, we really can’t afford for the team to be overawed by the occasion, overly-cautious or nervous. They need to attack this opening tie as if it were a match against Burnley at home.
Making the most of your home fixtures is vital in this competition because, when the fixtures start piling up at home, lengthy midweek trips away to the far corners of the continent can be taxing and doubly so if there is pressure on achieving results.
So points on the board and a strong start to our campaign are of enormous importance. There is no room for timidity.
With all due respect to PSV, who proved themselves canny opponents in the Europa League last year, we should be looking at this game as an opportunity to impose ourselves. Funny things can happen in European competition, of course, but have one of the most talented, youthful and dynamic squads in the country – we should be looking for control.
Make no mistake, though, PSV will come with a well-rehearsed gameplan and, just like last season, they won’t be giving anything away free – no side in this competition will. You can rest assured they will have plans and will have learned lessons from last year.
They aren’t the only side that has improved over the last 12 months, however. The Gunners are a year older, wiser, and sharper now. They can expect a difficult night.
In terms of personnel, I’m intrigued to see how Mikel Arteta approaches this match. Much was made of David Raya’s inclusion in the starting XI on Sunday so all eyes will be on whether the Spaniard keeps his place. Fabio Vieira may also be in contention for a starting berth if the manager considers that he has more to offer than Kai Havertz.
With a busy fixture schedule coming our way, though, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few other tweaks here and there across the squad. We have to protect everyone in the squad and, where we can, lighten the load on players who will be asked to play a lot of minutes between now and Christmas. There’s also the small matter of the north London derby coming this weekend.
Whoever starts tonight, they should hopefully enjoy a packed a raucous Emirates, albeit a soggy one with some heavy rain and wind forecast! It’s important they can feed from that and not allow the size of the occasion to affect things. I’m confident they won’t.
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