Arsenal will begin their journey in Europe this season on Thursday when they travel to Switzerland to face Swiss Champions FC Zurich.
Venue: Kybunpark (St. Gallen)
Key Statistics
FC Zurich have lost their last two home games.
They have kept just one clean sheet in their last six games at home.
Arsenal have won 75% of their group stage matches in the UEFA Europa League (W18, D4, L2).
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last nine group stage away games in the UEL (W7, D2).
They have won their last five games against Swiss teams.
Head to head
This will be the first game between both sides.
Latest performances in all competitions
FC Zurich: L-L-W-W-W
Arsenal: L-W-W-W-W
FC Zurich
FC Zürich welcome Arsenal to the Stadion Letzigrund in Switzerland as they both lock horns in the opening week of the Europa League season.
The Swiss side have been in a rough spot domestically, losing five out of the seven games they have played so far in the Swiss Super League, and also failing to register a single win.
Franco Foda was brought in before the new season began to replace André Breitenreiter who had won the League with the Swiss side before moving on to Hoffenheim. But it can be said that the German tactician has failed to live up to the lofty heights of his predecessor and faces an imminent sack if results at the Stadion Letzigrund does not improve in the coming weeks.
His Swiss side find themselves facing a daunting task to make it out of Group A onto the next round, with the likes of Arsenal, PSV and Bodo/Glimt all ahead in the pecking order based on quality.
Albeit, a win against the Gunners may be the spark Franco Foda’s men need to turn their season around.
Possible FC Zurich starting line-up
Yanick Brecher; Mirlind Kryezu, Becir Omeragic, Karol Mets; Ole Kristian Selnaes, Adrian Guerrero, Donis Avdjijaj, Blerim Dzemaili, Nikola Boranijasevic; Fabian Rohner, Tosin Aiyegun.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Arsenal
Arsenal on the other hand have started the season in sensational form winning five out of the six games they have played so far in the Premier League, which has seen them take 15 points from a possible 18 to sit first in the English Premier League table.
However, the Gunners cube into the game off the back of a 3-1 loss to Manchester United early this week. Mikel Arteta’s men will be eager to bounce back from their loss to the Red Devils and make a statement win in the UEL.
With the likes of PSV and Bodo/Glimt all in the same group as they are, Mikel Arteta knows that nothing more than a win against FC Zurich will cut it as they target the top spot in Group A and secure a less threatening draw in the next round.
With this being the first encounter between both teams, Arsenal have the upper hand as they come into this game in better shape than their Swiss counterparts despite their slip-up against Manchester United.
Possible Arsenal starting line-up
Aaron Ramsdale; Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Rob Holding, Kieran Tierney; Granit Xhaka, Albert Sambi-Lokonga; Fabio Vieira, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Edward Nketiah.
Injured: Reiss Nelson, Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
FC Zurich 0-3 Arsenal
