Arsenal winners and losers vs Zurich as Tierney sends Arteta firm reminder

Can Arsenal, masters of Swiss timing, win the Europa League? Of quartz they can.

Kieran Tierney fired the Gunners safely into the knockout phase as group winners with his first goal in 2022. And as Arsenal maintained their 100 per cent record against Swiss opponents in Europe - played eight, won eight - it turned into a ripping yarn for their matchwinner.

Come on you shreds? Tierney's No.3 jersey was torn open, like the packaging a toddler's birthday present, by Zurich defender Nikola Boranijasevic. Incredibly, hopeless Belgian ref Erik Lambrechts didn't even administer a card - but at least it didn't matter.

Tierney said: "We wanted to get the game done by 60 or 70 minutes but we never did that. We just had to show fight and hunger because Zürich came here with so much of that. It's just a shame we didn't score more. It's hard to say why - we won 5-0 a few days ago."

European football's governing body UEFA are likely to take a dim view of the ridiculous palls of smoke which provided a Bonfire Night preview for north London. Dozens of Zurich supporters smuggled flares, fireworks and assorted pyrotechnics into the Emirates and at times it was like watching a game through a pea souper.

Needing to match PSV Eindhoven's result against Bodo/Glimt to top the pile, Arsenal served up a mixed bag and they were clinging on for dear life at the end.

What did you make of Arsenal's performance against FC Zurich? Let us know in the comments below!

Amid the rash of World Cup sick notes, Bukayo Saka's surprise return from the bench - after retiring hurt during the 5-0 rout of Nottingham Forest last Sunday - was a boost for England coach Gareth Southgate.

But Gabriel Jesus is now seven games without a goal since October 1, and Arsenal pied piper Mikel Arteta must hope he is keeping his powder dry for Sunday's high noon shoot-out at Chelsea.

Arteta, who had called for a "reset" after last week's defeat in Eindhoven, said: "We had some big chances that we didn't put away and we had to dig in for the last 15 to 20 minutes, which we did. Losing football matches will happen - you don't know when, and you have to react to it. That's what we have done by winning the last two games with clean sheets.

"Jesus is getting into good situations, he is getting chances and he contributes an awful lot to the team. He just has to keep doing what he's doing the goals will come."

Zurich have won only one of their last 18 away games in Europe, while Arsenal have lost just one of their last 20 at the Emirates against continental opponents.

The winner, after 17 minutes, came from the Gunners' first meaningful attack, and Tierney's first-time half-volley from 25 yards - his first goal since last Boxing Day - gave the Swiss a rude awakening no cuckoo clock could match.

Heaven knows how the Belgian officials missed Lindrit Kamberi yanking Eddie Nketiah's shirt in the box. Then Nketiah's header, superbly parried by Zurich keeper Yanick Brecher, Fabio Vieira and Jesus should all have made the Gunners' night easier.

But Arteta was grateful that Adrian Guerrero's 'equaliser' was correctly ruled out for offside. It was just about the only decision the officials got right all night. Zurich boss Bo Henriksen, once a cult figure at Kidderminster Harriers, said: "We gave it everything, but Arsenal are a really good side and I hope there are going to be some new champions in England."

Player ratings: Ramsdale (6), White (7), Holding (6), Gabriel (7), Tierney (8), Elneny (7), Lokonga (6), Nelson (6), Vieira (7), Nketiah (7), Jesus (7). Subs: Partey (6), Saka (6), Tomiyasu (6), Odegaard (6).

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