Kieran Tierney scored from a thumping 20-yard drive in the 17th minute of the encounter to emerge as Group A winners
By Kehinde Okeowo
Premier League leaders, Arsenal qualified for a place in the last 16 of the Europa League after edging past FC Zurich at Emirates Stadium on Thursday evening.
The North London club scored from a Kieran Tierney’s thumping 20-yard drive into the bottom right corner in the 17th minute to emerge as Group A winners.
Arsenal were not at their fluent best, but they were able to grind out a result against the very determined Swiss side, who were playing to earn a place in Europa Conference League.
The Spaniard was able to introduce Bukayo Saka after the break to allay any fitness concerns and also rest several key players prior to Sunday’s Premier League trip to Chelsea.
ALSO READ:
NPFL holds induction for four newly promoted clubs
Mbappe a combination of Ronaldo, Henry, Ferdinand declares
Granit Xhaka was also missing for the Gunners after he picked up a yellow card against PSV in their last match but will now return in their next game in the knockout stages.
Eddie Nketiah twice stung the palms of Zurich goalkeeper Yanick Brecher, and Fabio Vieira saw his goalbound effort blocked from close range.
The inability of the home side to double their advantage ensured a nervy finale with Adrian Guerrero’s left-foot effort ruled out for offside.
Another rasping drive from Ukrainian forward Bogdan Viunnyk also flew wide of the top left corner as the visitors searched for an equaliser with few minutes to go.
However, Kieran Tierney’s lone strike proved enough, as the Gunners held on to advance to the last 16 at the expense of PSV Eindhoven who defeated Bodo/Glimt 2-1 in the other game in the group.
