FC Zurich vs Arsenal Match Analysis and Prediction

4 years ago 713

Arsenal will kick off their quest for Europa League glory on Thursday when they make a trip to meet Swiss champions FC Zurich in Group A at Kybunpark.

The Gunners secured a straighforward route into the group stage through a fifth-place finish in the Premier League last season, while their hosts failed to make it through Champions League qualifying.

Zurich have experienced a taste of Champions League football in the 2022-23 season, but Franco Foda was unable to guide his side past Azerbaijan’s Qarabag in the second qualifying round as they fell to a 5-4 aggregate defeat.

Dropping down to the Europa League, Zurich recovered to put five past Linfield over two legs before seeing off Hearts 3-1 on aggregate to secure their spot in the second tier of continental competition group stage for the fifth time in 11 years.

Foda’s side have endured a bitterly disappointing start to the defence of their title in the Swiss Super League, as they are without a win from seven matches in the new domestic campaign and have suffered three consecutive home defeats to Sion, Basel and Lugano.

From being regarding as favourites for fourth and final Champions League spot, Arsenal sure were handed a harsh reality check at the end of the 2021-22 season, to another spell in the Europa League.

A fifth campaign in the second tier of European football now awaits the Gunners, who were losing finalists in2019. losing semi-finalists in 2018 and 2021, and the less sais aboub their last-32 exit to Olympiacos in 2020 the better.

Thursday’s contest will mark the inaugural competitive meeting between Arsenal and Zurich, but the Gunners travel boasting 100% success rate from previous games against Swiss teams, as Lucas Perez hit a hat-trick in a 4-1 victory over Basel during the 2016-17 Champions League.

FC Zurich vs Arsenal head to head

The two teams have not previously met in any competition and this will be their first meeting in the Europa League group stages.

FC Zurich latest home form

FC Zurich have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just two of their seven most recent matches. They lost 2-1 to Lugano in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded 10.

Zurich 0-3 Sion 07/08/22

Zurich 3-0 Linfield 11/08/22

Zurich 2-1 Hearts 18/08/22

Zurich 2-4 Basel 28/08/22

Zurich 1-2 Lugano 03/09/22

FC Zurich latest away form

FC Zurich have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their four most recent matches. They managed to defeat Hearts 1-0 in their last away game in the Europa League. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded three.

St. Gallen 2-0 Zurich 30/07/22

Linfield 0-2 Zurich 04/08/22

Winterthur 1-1 Zurich 14/08/22

Cham 0-4 Zurich 21/08/22

Hearts 0-1 Zurich 25/08/22

Arsenal latest home form

Arsenal have recently been on an impressive form at home, as they have won each of their nine most recent matches. They managed to defeat Aston Villa 2-1 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 18 goals and conceded just four.

Arsenal 4-0 Chelsea 24/07/22

Arsenal 6-0 Sevilla 30/07/22

Arsenal 4-2 Leicester City 13/08/22

Arsenal 2-1 Fulham 27/08/22

Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa 31/08/22

Arsenal latest away form

Arsenal were beaten 3-1 by Manchester United in their last home game in the league. However, they have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having won each of their previous four matches. In their last five matches, they have scored 14 goals and conceded seven.

Nurnberg 3-5 Arsenal 08/07/22

Orlando City 1-3 Arsenal 21/07/22

Crystal Palace 0-2 Arsenal 05/08/22

AFC Bournemouth 0-3 Arsenal 20/08/22

Manchester United 3-1 Arsenal 04/09/22

FC Zurich news

Aiyegun Tosin should provide the attacking threat for Zurich after he opened his account for the season in the recent defeat to Lugano, potentially supported by Fabian Rohner in the final third.

Karol Mets picked up an early booking at the weekend and his spot could be under threat from Fidan Aliti.

Arsenal news

Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny, Thomas Partey and Reiss Nelson are confined to the treatment room for the long-term, while Emile Smith Rowe is a fresh concern for Arteta.

Marquinhos and Matt Smith could be handed their debuts for the Gunners after being included in senior Europa League squad, and Nketiah could displace Gabriel Jesus.

Prediction and Odds

While rotation can be expected on the Arsenal’s end, Arteta will still put out a side capable of laying down a marker with an abundance of youthful talent.

Zurich have made a dreadful start to their new domestic season, and despite performing better on the continent, we can only envisage an away win.

Odds: 1 2.30 X 2.03 2 2.21