With qualification for the last 16 of the Europa League still not a certainty, Arsenal will be determined to win when FC Zurich visits the Emirates on Thursday night with kickoff at 11 pm.
A string of poor results had left Arsenal in danger of losing their grasp on the top spot in the Premier League, but last week the Gunners regained their dominance with a 5-0 thrashing of the Tricky Trees.
Arsenal is now well-placed to book their place in the last 16 of the Europa League, needing only to match or better PSV’s result against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday.
Two points separate Arsenal and PSV heading into the final matchday, and at home to Zurich on Thursday night—where they have won each of their last 11 competitive matches—Arsenal should be confident of a win that will secure the top spot.
Bodo/Glimt’s failure to beat Zurich on the final matchday would have consigned them to a fourth-placed finish. However, Bo Henriksen’s side still has something to play for after overcoming their Scandinavian counterparts 2-1.
Amahl Pellegrino gave Bodo/Glimt the lead on the stroke of the hour mark, but Nikola Boranijasevic equalized before Antonio Marchesano won it in stoppage time.
The win keeps Zurich’s hopes of a third-placed finish alive, even if they can no longer trouble the top two.
Arsenal vs. FC Zurich Head to Head
Both sides have one game against each other, with the hosts taking the sole win. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Arsenal 5-0 Nottingham
- PSV 2-0 Arsenal
- Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
- Arsenal 1-0 PSV
- Leeds 0-1 Arsenal
Away
- Sion 0-1 Zurich
- Zurich 0-2 Bodo
- Zurich 1-4 Grasshopers
- Basel 0-0 Zurich
Arsenal Team News
Arsenal is reportedly confident that the foot injury Bukayo Saka suffered in the win over Nottingham Forest was not serious and that he could be fit for the trip to Chelsea. However, for the time being, two-goal substitute Reiss Nelson should fill in on the right.
FC Zurich Team News
Fabian Rohner’s domestic suspension will prevent him from playing in Zurich, but Mirlaid Kryeziu, Ilan Sauter, Blerim Dzemaili, Donis Avdijaj, and Miguel Reichmuth are all sidelined with injuries. Marchesano is expected to start for the injured Dzemaili.
Prediction and Odds
Despite being eliminated from the Champions League, Zurich should prove a tough challenge for Arsenal, who have not played their best football yet.
- Home Win
- Goals Over 2.5
- No Score: Away
