PSV close in on qualification landmark

As PSV Eindhoven inch closer to qualifying from the group stage of the UEFA Champions League for the first time at the eighth consecutive time of asking, the Dutch side will be hoping to avoid a repeat performance against an Arsenal FC side that won 4-0 at the Philips stadium during the 2002/03 season.

Comfortable win
The Gunners visit Eindhoven for the second time in three seasons, and will have fond memories from their last trip as goals from Gilberto Silva (the quickest goal to date in the competition's history), Fredrik Ljungberg (66 minutes) and a double from Thierry Henry (81 and 90 minutes) powered Arsène Wenger's side to a comfortable win on the second matchday. And though the Dutch side secured a scoreless draw on the final matchday at Highbury, the merit of the outcome should be tempered by the fact that Arsenal had already qualified for the second group stage while PSV had already been eliminated before a ball had been kicked.

Subsequent defeat
Prior to this season, PSV subsequently met English opposition in European club competitions, but were on the receiving end of a 3-2 defeat against Newcastle United FC in the quarter-final stage of the 2003/04 UEFA Cup having been eliminated from the UEFA Champions League at the end of the group stage, the seventh time in seven seasons that they have failed to advance to the next round of that competition.

Dutch draws
Having conquered PSV during the first group stage of the 2002/03 Champions League season, Arsenal were rewarded with two fixtures against AFC Ajax in the second group stage, the last time the Londoners have faced Dutch opposition in European club competitions before their defeat of PSV on the opening matchday this season. Arsenal were held 1-1 by Ajax at home with Sylvain Wiltord's fifth-minute goal cancelled out by Nigel de Jong 12 minutes later on matchday three. Eight days later in Amsterdam, the two sides shared a scoreless stalemate.

Arsenal exit
Two further draws from their remaining group engagements provided enough for Ajax to advance while Arsenal exited from the competition following a home draw against AS Roma followed by an away defeat to Valencia CF.