Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Arsenal play host to Zurich at their Emirates Stadium in the last group game. The Gunners are high on spirits following a splendid 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest, and it is no wonder the bookies see them as hot favourites to beat Bo Henriksen’s men in front of home fans. Important winger Bukayo Saka, who limped off with injury at the weekend, is unlikely to feature against Zurich, while all Elneny, Smith Rowe, Turner, and Zinchenko remain in the recovery room.
Experienced midfielder Granit Xhaka is banned for the match. The Swiss outfit, on the other hand, came from behind to beat Bodo in their last group match, with the team keeping their Conference League hopes alive. Anyhow, home win should be considered as Arsenal have been impressive on home soil in all competitions this term. Defender Marc Hornschuh has overcome his injury, while all Kryeziu, Reichmuth, and Sauter remain in the treatment room.
Team News
Arsenal are reportedly confident that the foot injury Bukayo Saka suffered in the win over Nottingham Forest is not a serious one, and the 21-year-old could even be back for the trip to Chelsea, but for the time being, two-goal substitute Reiss Nelson should fill in on the right.
Saka did train on Wednesday alongside Oleksandr Zinchenko in a major double boost for the Gunners, but Matt Turner is still being plagued by a groin problem, so Aaron Ramsdale should be given the nod again.
Emile Smith Rowe is still absent, but Mohamed Elneny has also returned to training much quicker than expected from a serious hamstring injury. The Egyptian will likely need more time to get up to speed, though, leaving Arteta in a tricky position with Granit Xhaka banned.
The midfielder’s suspension could tempt Arteta into pairing Thomas Partey up with Albert Sambi Lokonga, taking some of the defensive responsibility off the latter’s shoulders. Alternatively, Fabio Vieira and Martin Odegaard could both start in a midfield trio.
As for Zurich, Fabian Rohner will return to the squad amid a domestic suspension, but Mirlaid Kryeziu, Ilan Sauter, Blerim Dzemaili, Donis Avdijaj and Miguel Reichmuth are all sidelined.
Marchesano for the stricken Dzemaili was the only change that Henriksen made to his side at the weekend from the team that beat Bodo/Glimt, and an identical 3-4-1-2 setup should take to the field here.
The visitors have been handed a concern with ex-Rangers defender Nikola Katic, who came off with an unspecified injury against Sion, so Karol Mets is on standby.
Arsenal vs FC Zurich Head-to-Head
Arsenal have an good record against FC Zurich and have won the only match that has been played by the two teams by a narrow 2-1 margin.
Arsenal have won all the seven matches that they have played against Swiss opponents on the European stage – the most games that they have played against a single nation while maintaining a perfect record.
FC Zurich have lost all their five European games away from home against English opponents and have conceded a total of 15 goals in these matches.
Arsenal have lost only one of their last 19 group-stage matches at home in European competitions and have secured victory in their last five such games.
FC Zurich have won only one of their last 17 away games in European competitions, with their previous such victory coming against AEK Larnaca in 2018.
Arsenal have kept clean sheets in each of their last three home games in Europe – their longest such run since 2019.
Arsenal vs FC Zurich Prediction & Analysis
The Gunners are currently the toppers of the most competitive league in Europe, the EPL. They are in great form, and have already thrown in their names as one of the top contenders for the title.
Along with that they are going after the Europa too, and will be determined to deliver a superb win this Thursday. The struggling and inexperienced Zurich do not stand a chance at all.
Moreover, Arteta’s men already won the reverse fixture, and that too on the road. They even kept a clean sheet in that game.
It appears that Arsenal will register a huge victory this game week.
