Europa League: How Arsenal could line up against FC Zurich Today

Arsena will tonight host FC Zurich at the Emirates in a crunch Europa League group stage match and it’s a perfect setup for the Gunners to regain momentum heading into the final weeks before the World Cup break.

After four rounds FC Zurich had zero points, bottom of the group. But a 94th-minute goal at home against Bodo/Glimt saw them pick up three points and are suddenly in contention for the Europa Conference League.

Arsenal would have ideally had Zurich coming to the Emirates with nothing to play for. So expect more of a fight than the road leg, especially considering they are bottom in their domestic league so they might as well throw everything into this match.

The Gunners have to beat the Swiss side to top the group otherwise a win for PSV Eindhoven would see the Dutch outfit pinch the top spot.

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PSV saw off Arsenal 2-0 last week and know if the Gunners draw and they win then their head-to-head advantage would see them top the group.

Mikel Arteta will also be keen to avoid extra games in the new year, and finishing second in the group would see the Gunners play a preliminary knockout round against the teams dropping down from the Champions League.

Teams includes: Ajax, Barcelona, Juventus, Leverkusen, Salzburg, Sevilla, Shakhtar and Sporting CP.

An early dust up with big boys Barcelona, Juventus or Europa League specialists Sevilla could see Arsenal drop out of the competition at the Round of 32.

Topping the group, however, would place Arsenal in the Round of 16, skipping two games.

With how important tonight’s game against Zurich is, Aaron Ramsdale will get the nod in goal.

The England international could have a back four of Cedric, Rob Holding, William Saliba and Kieran Tierney protecting him.

Mohamed Elneny is just returning from injury, but has been training with the squad for a week or two, boss Arteta confirmed. He could get the nod alongside Albert Sambi Lokonga.

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Martin Odegaard may be selected to supply Arsenal’s front three of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Eddie Nketiah.

Alternatively, Thomas Partey could be brought in to lock off the midfield. Saka could be rested and two-goal hero Reiss Nelson may be handed a start., and should Elneny not be ready, Fabio Vieira could step in.

Just like the weekend’s win over Nottingham Forest, Arsenal and the fans at the Emirates know the importance of a quick start. The Gunners are on the front foot with a multigoal lead by halftime, rest Xhaka, Gabriel, and Tomiyasu in the second half and turn the focus to Chelsea.