Simons provides PSV heartbeat

If consistency is key to success in the UEFA Champions League, then in Timmy Simons, PSV Eindhoven have just the man to lead them into the quarter-finals.

Ever present
Simons is ever-present for PSV in the Dutch Eredivisie this season and is one of only three players to have appeared in every minute of their UEFA Champions League campaign. Another strong 90 minutes will be demanded of him if PSV are to prevail against Arsenal FC in the first knockout round.

Careful start
The 30-year-old Belgian international anchors Ronald Koeman's midfield and he expects a difficult night on Wednesday as Arsenal seek to overturn a 1-0 first-leg defeat. "We're in a good starting position but Arsenal have proven in this stadium that they can do great things, so it will be tough," he said. "I expect Arsenal to start carefully because if they concede a goal it will make things very, very difficult for them because they will need to score three."

Key role
Simons was an Eredivisie winner in his first term with PSV last year, and is on course to repeat the feat thanks to a dynamic partnership forged with veteran Phillip Cocu. Simons provides the solid base that allows 36-year-old Cocu to press forward, a selfless role that the former Club Brugge KV favourite is happy to take. "My task is to organise the team and give it balance, as well as clean up after the mistakes of my team-mates," he said.

'Complete confidence'
Coach Koeman will look to his experienced midfielders to steady nerves as the injury-hit side bid to pull off a shock in north London. Defenders Jan Kromkamp and Manuel Da Costa are the latest names on a lengthening casualty list, but Simons, who scored in PSV's 2-0 victory over Galatasaray SK in October, believes his team have the strength in depth to see off Arsenal. "I have complete confidence that the boys who are available can do the job 100 per cent," he said.