Ivan Perisic says Arsenal’s recent trophy drought can be attributed to lacking “that little bit” as he plots to deny Mikel Arteta’s side their only realistic hope of winning silverware this season.
Perisic, formerly of Tottenham, has helped PSV Eindhoven reach the Champions League round of 16 stage this season and they have been paired with Arsenal after seeing off Juventus.
The Champions League takes on added importance for the Gunners after they crashed out of both domestic competitions in the space of a month and now trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by 13 points.
Although Arsenal have a game in hand over the Reds, Arne Slot’s side remain heavy favourites to be crowned champions of England come May.
As a result, European football’s biggest prize in club football - a competition the north London outfit have never won - has become their most feasible chance of ending their five-year wait for a major trophy.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday night’s first-leg clash in Eindhoven, Perisic believes PSV have what it takes to knock Arsenal out at the round of 16 stage.
"It will be a tough match against a young team with a strong coach. Arsenal often missed just that little bit to win something last year. We have to be fully ready, then we have a good chance to beat them.
“I believe in our team and we have to play at our peak. When you hear the Champions League anthem, it still gives something special."
PSV head into the tie in poor form themselves. Their only win in their last six games across all competition was against Juventus in the Champions League playoff round.
Furthermore, they lost a KNVB Cup semi-final to Go Ahead Eagles last week and Saturday’s loss to the same opposition has left them eight points behind Ajax at the top of the Eredivisie table.
Arsenal and PSV are no strangers to meeting on the European stage in recent years. In fact, this will be their third meeting in as many seasons with the Gunners losing at the Philips Stadion in the Europa League group phase during the 2023/24 campaign before drawing 1-1 in the same venue last season.
