Arsenal host FC Zürich at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night, and three points would seal the top spot of their group, in return avoiding the playoff and straight into February's draw. However, a big test in Graham Potter's Chelsea side looms around the corner for the high-flying Arsenal side. 

The Gunners' victory in Switzerland means that they have won all seven matches against Swiss opposition, whereas the Swiss side have lost all five matches they have played against English competition. Goals from Marquinhos and Eddie Nketiah cancelled out a Mirlin Kryeziu penalty kick on the interval. 

FC Zurich sit in 10th in the Swiss Super League, with only one win in 14 matches this season. With Arsenal fresh off a 5-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest at the weekend, they will be hoping to continue their excellent form. One key man to look for will be Reiss Nelson, who has struggled to make a breakthrough and has been featuring from the 80th minute in most Europa League matches this campaign. Bukayo Saka's early injury concern provided a chance for Nelson, who grasped the opportunity with two hands, scoring two and assisting one. It is expected that Arteta may call upon Nelson for another opportunity against Zürich, hoping he can make the impact that fans have wanted him to do for the last few years. 

 

Team News:

Arsenal

  • Thanks to VAVEL's very own Dan George, Arsenal have welcomed back Oleksandr Zinchenko (muscle), Mohammed Elneny (hamstring) and Bukayo Saka (knock) to training ahead of their fixture. Arteta mentioned in his conference that they are all in different stages and whereas Saka is available, Elneny is just coming back from a long-term injury. 
  • Emile Smith Rowe and Matt Turner are the only other injuries that are certain, both with groin injuries, although we are aware that Smith Rowe is out until late December. 
  • Although a strong lineup is expected from the Gunners, there is hope that Reiss Nelson will be named in the starting eleven, after his impressive display on Sunday afternoon. 
  • Granit Xhaka does also miss out though due to suspension after picking up too many yellow cards in the competition. Albert Sambi Lokonga is the favourite to slide into the position, but it could provide a chance for Zinchenko or academy graduate Matthew Smith, depending on the situation. 

 

FC Zürich 

 

  • FC Zürich may be out with Blerim Dzemaili (knock), Donis Advijaj (knock), goalscorer Kryeziu (muscle), Miguel Reichmuth (knock) and Ilan Sauter (knee). 
  • Although this game is dead rubber for the Swiss side, they will be looking to cause an upset as they visit the Emirates Stadium for the first time in their history. 

 

Starting XI Predictions:

Arsenal: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Vieira, Lokonga, Ødegaard, Nelson, Martinelli, Nketiah

FC Zürich: Brecher, Aliti, Katic, Kamberi, Guerrero, Conde, Selnæs, Boranijasevic, Marchesano, Okita, Tosin

 

Key Players

 

Arsenal - Reiss Nelson

The eye is on the 22-year-old and whether he will start over Bukayo Saka. After scoring two and assisting one, he is back in contention and will be hoping to carry the form and fight back for a spot in the first team. 

 

FC Zürich- Jonathan Okita

The striker is the top scorer for FC Zürich and their goal threat alongside Aiyegun Tosin. It took him only eight minutes to get the goal against Sion in the league, and will aim to replicate that against Arsenal on Thursday night. 

Match Details

The match kicks off at 8pm UK time at the Emirates Stadium and is being broadcasted on BT Sport 2 & BT Sport Ultimate. BT Sport subscribers can also stream the match via the BT Sport app. 

If you are unable to watch, VAVEL London has all the best content for you, from pre-match quotes to a match report and post-match analysis, so keep tuned at VAVEL.com!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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