(Football news) A sublime goal by Kieran Tierney helped Arsenal secure a 1-0 win over FC Zurich at the Emirates Stadium and secure a place in the knockout stage of the UEFA Europa League. The 25 year old showed great composure to finish from the edge of the box in the 17th minute as Arsenal went on to finish their group stage of the competition with just eight goals in six matches. The visitors came close to equalising Adrian Guerrero's finish was ruled for offside as the Gunners went on to achieve a milestone of 14 unbeaten games at home across all competitions with 2nd place PSV set to face a playoff match against a Champions League team.
As for FC Zurich, the Swiss side’s failure to secure a result means that Bodo/Glimt finished third in the group and will now face a playoff match against the runner up in the UEFA Conference League. Arsenal now face a tough test against Chelsea this Sunday with Mikel Arteta hoping that his side consolidates their lead at the top of the Premier League table but will be without fullback Takehiro Tomiyasu who was forced off injured in the closing stages against FC Zurich. Arteta made seven changes to his team with Rob Holding and Kieran Tierney coming into the back four along with Mohamed Elneny, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson.
Speaking after the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said “It's job done. It is not easy to win that many games in Europe. I don't think it was the prettiest game we have played but we managed to win it. I think we had chances, especially early in the game and at the end of the first half to get it into a more comfortable position. We didn't do that. We did not control the game well enough, especially in the second half. At the end we were a bit leggy I think. We gave them one or two chances but managed not to concede and keep a clean sheet and win.
"We have been rotating. I think we are the team that have been rotating the most in Europe today. Players deserve chances and minutes and also the amount of games we play means we cannot maintain the intensity and players being fit. We have all the games and fixtures in our minds to try and be competitive all the time. Today was really important. We know how important it is going to be with all the teams playing in February. Winning helps winning. The atmosphere in the dressing room is much better after a win than a loss. It does bother him for sure [Gabriel Jesus not scoring for eight games]. When he scores two he wants to score four. Today he had a couple of good chances. But what he generates for the team is amazing. Last week he gave three assists. Today he was involved in every action again. The goals will come."
Also read: Manchester United defeated Real Sociedad but finish second in the group
