"We have a good chance of beating them" - Perisic fancies PSV odds against Arsenal

As PSV host Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League last 16, Ivan Perisic will see some familiar faces from his time in the Premier League. The Croatian winger spent 18 months in north London with Spurs, facing the Gunners twice.

Despite losing on both occasions, he seemed to fancy the Dutch side's odds in the European tie as he highlighted the Gunners' failure to step up when it mattered in recent years. Arsenal have been runners-up in the last two editions of the Premier League, extending their titleless streak to 21 years.

"It's going to be tough. They're (Arsenal) a good team, with young players and a good coach. But in the last few years, they have been missing something to step up and win something," the 36-year-old told reporters during a press conference on the eve of the clash.

Speaking on PSV's chances of claiming a positive result, he added: "We have to be ready, I think we have a good chance of beating them. I believe in our team and we have to be at the top level to show something. When you hear the Champions League anthem, it gives something special.”

But Arsenal was not the only team Perisic aimed a dig at, as he was also critical of his own squad. "We are not a team. We are not doing well. We should be more of a team, which we are not now. We are not fighting for each other and that makes me angry," he affirmed.

Sitting eight points behind Ajax in the race for the Eredivisie title, the former Inter Milan star insisted that PSV are capable of better. "We need to change that quickly. We need to give everything until the end of the season, because it is far from over," he said.

 

March 3, 2025