Europa League: Arsenal beat FC Zurich 2-1

Arsenal started their Europa League campaign with a 2-1 win over FC Zurich on Wednesday evening.

Arsenal started slowly but gradually came into the game and took the lead at the end of a sweeping counter-attack in the 16th minute.

Fabio Vieira played the ball into space as the pace of Eddie Nketiah saw him break in behind and cross for Marquinhos to turn home an emphatic finish on his club debut.

Vieira and Granit Xhaka came close to adding a second as the Gunners began to dominate, only to concede a clumsy penalty three minutes before the break.

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Nketiah was adjudged to have fouled Fidan Aliti inside the box and Mirlind Kryeziu made no mistake from the spot, sending Matt Turner the wrong way to level.

Both sets of players emerged for the second half and gathered around the centre circle to observe a minute’s silence to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II which was announced during half-time.

Nketiah, atoning for his earlier error, scored the deciding goal in the 62nd minute when heading home Marquinhos’ cross at the back post.

Arsenal return to Premier League action on Sunday when they host Everton at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners then continue their Europa League campaign by playing PSV Eindhoven at home next Thursday.

The Star