Arsenal and FC Zurich observed a minute’s silence following Queen Elizabeth II’s death, which was announced during the Gunners’ 2-1 Europa League victory.
The score was 1-1 at the halftime break at AFG Arena on Thursday, with Mirlind Kryeziu converting a penalty to cancel out debutant Marquinhos’ 16th-minute opener.
It was decided that a period of reflection would be held prior to the second half, with Arsenal wearing black armbands for the remainder of the Group A match.
Eddie Nketiah, who was heavily involved at both ends, put Arsenal ahead again after an hour in Switzerland, and the visitors went on to win their sixth game in seven this season.
Zurich is winless in seven league games this season and fell behind early against Arsenal.
Nketiah drove down the left and found Marquinhos, who thumped an impressive first-time finish into the roof of the net.
After playing a key role in the opener, Nketiah went from hero to zero when he brought down Fidan Aliti, resulting in a penalty, which Kryeziu converted to tie the game.
After a sluggish start to the second half, Arsenal quickly regained the lead through a Nketiah header, with Marquinhos providing the assist with his cross from the right.
Arsenal were unable to score a third goal, but they kept their opponents at bay in order to respond to Sunday’s loss to Manchester United in the best possible way.
What does it imply? Arsenal is now operational.
Mikel Arteta, who returned to Europe after a brief absence last year, has stated his intention to end Arsenal’s 29-year wait for European silverware.
The Premier League side did not have it easy in Zurich, but they prevailed to make it seven wins in a row against Swiss opposition.
This victory also ensures that Arsenal maintains their momentum, having won six of their seven games in all competitions this season.
Eddie rekindles his love affair with Europa
Nketiah more than made up for giving up a penalty by scoring the game-winning goal, having earlier set up Marquinhos’ opener.
He has scored in his last three Europa League starts, becoming the fifth Englishman to do so after Bobby Zamora, Jermain Defoe, Harry Kane, and James Tavernier.
Creating his Marq
As far as debuts go, this was not a bad way for Marquinhos to introduce himself to Arsenal fans, with the forward scoring one and assisting the other.
The Brazilian is the first player to make his competitive debut for Arsenal in a European game and score since Raphael Meade against Panathinaikos in September 1981.
Facts about Opta:
- Arsenal has won their first group game in each of their five Europa League seasons.
- Marquinhos became Arsenal’s fourth different Brazilian scorer this season, with no other Premier League team having more than one. Indeed, eight of Arsenal’s goals this season have been scored by Brazilians, more than all other Premier League teams combined.
- Arsenal has given up nine of the last ten penalties in all competitions, with the only exception being a Bruno Fernandes miss in the Premier League in April of this year.
- Nketiah joined Bobby Zamora, Jermain Defoe, Harry Kane, and James Tavernier as the fifth Englishman to score in three consecutive UEFA Europa League starts.
- After losing only one of their first 11 home matches in the Europa League (W6 D4), Zurich have now lost all three of their last three.
What comes next?
On the same day that Zurich travels to Servette in the Swiss Super League, Arsenal hosts Everton in the Premier League.