Zurich-Arsenal is a match valid for the first day of the Europa League group stage and is played on Thursday at 18:45
Arsenal re-embrace Europe after an anomalous season without cups, even though the Gunners’ real aim was to return to the Champions League, which they lost on the penultimate day after a thrilling duel with hated Tottenham. Conte’s Spurs overtook them at the photo finish, forcing Mikel Arteta’s men to settle for the Europa League. A competition in which the Londoners are among the main favourites, along with Manchester United, who only a few days ago inflicted their first disappointment of the season on Xhaka and his team-mates.
The 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday broke Arsenal’s unbeaten run. Arsenal had won as many games in the Premier League in the first five and were the only side still on full points until the match with the Red Devils. Arteta remains alone at the top of the table with 15 points, but there is no denying the fact that his side melted like snow in the sun in front of the first level opponent they encountered on their way. The Spanish coach will also have to work on the players’ heads in order to aim at staying at least in the top four, in the meantime he enjoys the third best attack in the league, which with 14 goals is the third most prolific behind Manchester City and Liverpool.
In the Europa League, the Gunners’ group can conceal some pitfalls, and right now the weak link in Group A seems to be Zurich. The reigning Swiss champions did not get off to a good start: first they failed to gain access to the Champions League by losing the double confrontation with the Azerbaijanis of Qarabag, then they had to overcome two preliminary rounds (Linfield and Hearts) to snatch qualification for the second continental event. There was also very little satisfaction at home: in seven days only two draws and five defeats.
Franco Foda, coach of Zurich
The Prediction
Arsenal, despite prioritising the league and rotating several elements compared to the Manchester game, have everything to achieve a convincing victory in their Europa League debut. A Zurich side in black crisis, grappling with gigantic problems in the non-possession phase, seems unable to limit the damage against the Gunners. Arteta’s side appear to be big favourites in a match with at least three goals in total.
Zurich-Arsenal
likely line-ups
- ZURIGO (3-5-2): Brecher; Kryeziu, Omeragic, Aliti; Boranijasevic, Dzemaili, Selnaes, Conde, Guerrero; Tosin, Rohner.
- ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Turner; Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Xhaka, Lokonga; Saka, Vieira, Martinelli; Nketiah.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 0-3
