I’m happy at Arsenal says Arteta – amid links made to Barcelona
Arsenal still have a bit of work to do to ensure that they finish top of Group A in the Europa League after a 2-0 defeat to PSV Eindhoven left the door open for the Dutch side to clinch top spot away from the Gunners. Mikel Arteta’s side need to win against FC Zurich this evening to finish well clear of PSV but anything less and they will be in danger of slipping back to second place.
Why does that matter? The Gunners have already qualified for the next stage of the competition but finishing first in the group means Arsenal will automatically be placed in the last-16. The teams that finish second face a two-legged play-off tie against one of the clubs dropping out of the Champions League which will be tricky as the likes of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Juventus have been demoted into Europe’s second competition.
Arsenal will be confident of getting the job done though. FC Zurich are bottom of Group A with just one win in five and the Gunners come into the match on the back of hammering Nottingham Forest 5-0 in the Premier League. However, with Chelsea up next in the league on Sunday Arteta may decide to rest key players for tonight’s clash.
Follow all the action as Arsenal host FC Zurich in the Europa League:
Full time – Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
The whistle goes and a clean sheet does the job nicely – that, plus Tierney’s strike, means Arsenal top the group.
PSV won 2-1 in the end so the victory was crucial. The Dutch team will play the play-off in the new year.
Karl Matchett3 November 2022 21:55
90+4’ – Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Arsenal just about there. Nketiah can’t reach a header properly, then Ramsdale has to meet another low cross.
Gabriel is booked for …winning a header? That’s what it looks like. And there’s one last chance for Zurich to smash it into the air and into the box.
In it goes…and a bullet header from Katic goes over the bar! Was offside anyway to be honest.
Karl Matchett3 November 2022 21:54
90+1’ – Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Five minutes added on and we’re into that now.
Most of that is probably for Aliti, who seemed to have about a dozen different facial injuries across the match. Tierney is now down in a heap too after being stood on.
PSV still 2-0 up so the Gunners very much have to see this match out.
Karl Matchett3 November 2022 21:49
89’ – Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Tomiyasu is going back off – looks like he has picked up an injury. A concern for Japan as well as Arsenal, with the World Cup so close. On comes Cedric.
Last minute of the 90 now. Odegaard is trying to encourage his team to play higher but it’s not happening for Arsenal – they cannot keep hold of it.
A curled cross into the Gunners’ box almost causes real problems but two flying yellow shirts can’t get on the end of it.
Karl Matchett3 November 2022 21:47
84’ – Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Tierney hooks in a cross but it’s aimless and easily cleared. Nelson wins a corner and takes it himself, but again there’s no connection.
Looking more and more like Arsenal will have to hold firm at the other end rather than find a second goal.
Conde replaced by Krasniqi for the final few.
Karl Matchett3 November 2022 21:42
80’ – Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Stop-start ending to the game and it’s suiting the visitors more than Arsenal.
Viunnyk turns two defenders and rockets in a strike from the edge of the box – he has beaten Ramsdale, but also just beat the top corner. It flies just over.
Nketiah is furious he’s not given a free-kick at the other end but the ref isn’t interested.
Karl Matchett3 November 2022 21:39
76’ – Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Zurich rolling the dice. Selnaes off for Hornschuh; Tosin replaced by Viunnyk. Attacking changes looking for the shock turnaround they need.
Karl Matchett3 November 2022 21:37
72′ – Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
More changes in reaction. Tomiyasu and Odegaard come on for Vieira and White.
We’re about 20 minutes from the end, including injury time. Not a lot of wiggle room now if Arsenal do concede – and Ramsdale is called into action again to claim a low cross.
Karl Matchett3 November 2022 21:32
68’ – Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
That’s exactly what the problem could be. One attack, one good move and Zurich have the ball in the net but Guerrero is offside when he buries the rebound after Ramsdale saved an initial shot.
Karl Matchett3 November 2022 21:26
64’ – Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Vieira with another strike from a difficult angle this time and it’s nowhere near the target.
Thomas Partey is trying to raise the tempo in the middle of the park after coming on – Arsenal can’t let this drift and then need to suddenly react late on.
Karl Matchett3 November 2022 21:24