Arsenal vs PSV LIVE: Europa League result, final score and reaction as Xhaka strike gives Gunners the win

Mikel Arteta believes the way his Arsenal side are dealing with an intense fixture schedule will hold them in good stead for after the World Cup.

The Gunners travel to Leeds on Sunday, fresh from a 1-0 Europa League win at Bodo/Glimt on Thursday.

That journey to Elland Road via the Arctic Circle is the latest of two fixtures in three days for a side that currently sit top of the Premier League, having won 11 of 12 games in all competitions.

The first-ever winter World Cup will halt any progress Arsenal make between now and mid-November, with fixture lists truncated after the finals to ensure the season still finishes in good time.

This fixutre was originally due to be played on Thursday 15th September but had to be postponed due to ‘the severe limitations on police resources and organisational issues related to the ongoing events surrounding the national mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.’

Arsenal’s Premier League match against Manchester City was also scheduled for last night but has moved to accommodate a free week for the Gunners to complete this Europa League tie.

PSV travel to the Emirates stadium tonight before hosting Mikel Arteta’s side next week as well. These two games will decide which of these teams will finish at the top of Group A.

For Arsenal it is a similar story on the injury front with Emile Smith Rowe, Mohamed Elneny and Oleksandr Zinchenko all expected not to feature and Gabriel Martinelli is a doubt though will have late fitness test to see if he can play.

PSV, meanwhile, are injury stricken with a multitude of stars out of action for the fixture. Yorbe Vertessen, Ismael Saibari, Noni Madueke, Olivier Boscagli, Marco van Ginkel, Luuk de Jong and Mauro Junior are all unavailable for the match.

Predicted line-ups

Arsenal: Turner; White, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Vieira, Martinelli; Nketiah

PSV: Benitez; Mwene, Ramalho, Obispo, Max; Sangare, Gutierrez; Simons, Veerman, Gakpo; Til

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s rearranged Europa League fixture between Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven.

The Gunners are unbeaten in Europe’s second competition this season with three wins from their three matches so far but they face their biggest test against the Dutch side tonight. PSV Eindhoven are second in Group A - two points behind Arsenal - but will move to the top of the group if they defeat the Gunners.

Whichever team manages to top their qualifying group will be automatically entered into the round of 16 with the second placed sides having to win a playoff game against the demoted Champions League teams to progress so finishing top is crucial. Arsenal will go five points clear with a win this evening and would need just one point from the return fixture against PSV next week to clinch the group.