Dutch International: Arsenal Are One Of The Best Three Teams In The World

By The Editor
on 29th September 2023

PSV’s Joey Veerman left impressed after Arsenal clash…

PSV midfielder Joey Veerman was left impressed by Arsenal following last week’s Champions League clash at the Emirates Stadium, labelling them among the “best three teams in the world”, he told VI.nl.

Veerman faced us twice in 12 months with PSV also in our Europa League group last season, though that game in north London was a more even contest decided by a Granit Xhaka strike in the second half.

Arsenal were in pot two in the Champions League group, though after drawing Sevilla from pot one, many believe Mikel Arteta’s men are favourites to top the group.

It illustrates the strength of the Premier League that a team ridiculed for losing the title to treble winners Manchester City are still regarded as one of the best in the world.

“Playing in the Champions League is the best thing there is. You cannot make a comparison between those teams,” Veerman said following PSV’s win against Go Ahead Eagles on Wednesday.

“Arsenal are one of the three best teams in the world. They are a class better than us. We then Go Ahead again. What I brought with me from London is doubling at fullback.

“I always tried to help fellow players, but that’s not right. From now on I will continue to play from my own man. I learned that from Arsenal.”

Veerman refers to the overload Arteta’s system attempts to create centrally by inverting the full-back and leaving the winger isolated with his opposing full-back.

The former Heerenveen man felt drawn to help his defender against Leandro Trossard, which left Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kai Havertz in ample space.

After six years out of the competition, it feels surreal that we have the tactical nous to progress in the Champions League and compete to win it.