Arsenal 1-0 Zurich: Gunners secure place in last 16 of Europa League

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says that “profitable helps profitable” as his facet narrowly beat Zurich to secure their place in the last 16 of the Europa League.

It was additionally the Premier League leaders’ tenth victory in 12 matches in all competitions, a behavior Arteta is eager to retain together with his facet going through three extra matches till their season breaks for the World Cup in Qatar.

“Job achieved. I do not assume it was the prettiest sport we’ve got performed however we handle to win it,” Arteta informed BT Sport.

“Today was actually essential. We know the way essential it’ll be with all of the groups taking part in in February. Winning helps profitable.

“The environment in the dressing room is a lot better after a win than a loss.”

While Arsenal’s margin of victory might have been extra important, there have been nonetheless different positives for Arteta to take.

The Spaniard was in a position to introduce Bukayo Saka after the break to allay any fitness concerns and he additionally rested a number of key gamers previous to Sunday’s Premier League journey to Chelsea.

The solely criticism was that Arsenal didn’t put the end result past doubt throughout a dominant first-half show in which Eddie Nketiah twice stung the palms of Zurich goalkeeper Yanick Brecher, and Fabio Vieira noticed his goalbound effort blocked from shut vary.

That ensured a nervy finale with Adrian Guerrero’s left-foot effort dominated out for offside and Ukrainian ahead Bogdan Viunnyk seeing his rasping drive simply fly vast of the highest left nook because the guests looked for an equaliser.

However, the hosts held on and have now gained all eight of their matches towards Swiss golf equipment in European competitors.

Arsenal dig in

Arsenal’s defeat at PSV had left them needing a win to ensure their progress with out the prospect of a two-legged play-off in February towards one of the golf equipment dropping down from the Champions League.

While they made a sluggish begin, largely resulting from their improvised line-up containing seven modifications from last Sunday’s 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest, the Premier League leaders achieved their goal.

Arteta’s facet have now gained all 9 of their dwelling video games in all competitions this season however this efficiency is not going to be one he’s more likely to refer again to shortly, and he will even have been involved to see Japan international Takehiro Tomiyasu limp off lower than quarter-hour after approaching in its place.

And as nerves appeared to creep in with information that PSV have been main in Norway towards Bodo/Glimt, Arsenal retreated in direction of their very own aim offering a lot of encouragement to opponents at present languishing six factors adrift on the backside of the Swiss League.

The kind of Gabriel Jesus, who has now gone eight video games with no aim, can also be a state of affairs Arteta believes will alter with the Brazilian lacking an excellent alternative after the break as Brecher once more got here to the rescue for the guests.

“It does hassle him for positive,” Arteta added.

“When he scores two he needs to attain 4. He had a pair of good possibilities however what he generates for the workforce is wonderful. Last week he gave three assists. Today he was concerned in each motion once more. The objectives will come.”