Ruud van Nistelrooij allows Luuk de Jong, Noni Madueke and Mauro Júnior to make playing minutes against Arsenal. The trio has been struggling with various injuries in recent times, but the trio is back in the match selection for the first time during the make-up game in the Europa League. Furthermore, the PSV trainer indicates at the press conference that he is considering playing against the Londoners in a system with five defenders.
In total, Van Nistelrooij will have 24 players at his disposal next Thursday. The elector expected Madueke back against FC Utrecht (6-1) last weekend, but that game turned out to come too early. The winger has not made any minutes in an official game this season, but could change that against Arsenal. De Jong suffered a muscle injury in August in the Champions League match with Rangers FC (0-1 loss). At the end of September, Van Nistelrooij indicated that the PSV captain needed ‘a few more weeks’ to become match fit. Mauro has been sidelined the longest of the three and has not been in action since May.
“They can all make minutes, because that’s why I brought them,” says Van Nistelrooij, who emphasizes that he will not just use the three. “I use them if the game asks for it. They start on the bench, that seems logical to me, after such a long time we just have to be careful.” The elector does not want to give any further details about the position of the Eindhoven residents, although it seems that Jarred Branthwaite, who is present at the press conference next to his trainer, can count on a basic place.
“Branthwaite can play in different systems, both with four and five defenders. We haven’t played with five defenders yet, but Arsenal is an opponent that you have to analyze carefully,” said Van Nistelrooij. Branthwaite complements his coach. “We won’t hear until tomorrow who will be in the starting line-up. Arsenal are a top team, have had a very good start. But I think if we stick to our plan, we can go for a result. The collective is good and if we play compact we could draw or win. We have those qualities.”