Arsenal vs FC Zurich Europa League final score and result as Gunners top group - live
Arsenal 1-0 FC Zurich: Kieran Tierney’s thunderbolt ensured the Gunners win Group A to advance to the last 16
Kieran Tierney was the unlikely match-winner as Arsenal beat FC Zurich to progress from their Europa League group in first place and avoid a potentially tricky knockout round play-off tie.
The Gunners needed to match the result of Group A rivals PSV Eindhoven to secure top-spot and Tierney’s fine finish was just enough to see off a spirited Zurich side 1-0.
PSV won away to Bodo/Glimt so a victory at the Emirates Stadium was required as Mikel Arteta’s side - showing seven changes from the 5-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday - failed to fire.
But, after Manchester United had only been able to seal second place in their group earlier in the evening, the win means Arsenal will avoid the likes of Barcelona, Juventus and Sevilla as they receive a bye into the round of 16.
Relive the action as Arsenal beat FC Zurich in the Europa League:
72' - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
More changes in reaction. Tomiyasu and Odegaard come on for Vieira and White.
We’re about 20 minutes from the end, including injury time. Not a lot of wiggle room now if Arsenal do concede - and Ramsdale is called into action again to claim a low cross.
68’ - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Goal...ruled out!
That’s exactly what the problem could be. One attack, one good move and Zurich have the ball in the net but Guerrero is offside when he buries the rebound after Ramsdale saved an initial shot.
64’ - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Vieira with another strike from a difficult angle this time and it’s nowhere near the target.
Thomas Partey is trying to raise the tempo in the middle of the park after coming on - Arsenal can’t let this drift and then need to suddenly react late on.
61’ - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Arteta goes to his bench as Arsenal look to try and seal matters here.
Bukayo Saka is coming on, back from injury, replacing Jesus. Elneny is replaced by Thomas Partey.
Conde is booked, meanwhile, for a late tackle.
57’ - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Jesus leads a charge and feeds Nketiah down the left, but he’s held up and then his cross is defended well and cleared.
Still all a little fragmented in the final third.
Zurich have offered very little in this half.
53’ - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
PSV are two goals to the good now, so Arsenal will definitely have to take the three points.
Lots of decent build-up play, but a bit of a lack of killer instinct in the final third so far.
Vieira in particular has seen chances go begging.
48’ - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Let’s see how Arteta wants his side to approach this second 45’ then: manage it, or go full-pelt to score a second and wrap matters up? They don’t need to do anything extra at this point, but of course it’s a risk leaving the door open to a late equaliser.
Katic is booked for hauling down Jesus on the turn, then Vieira escapes a card for doing the same a minute later.
Second half - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
We are back underway at the Emirates Stadium.
HT: Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Kieran Tierney nets his first of the season - his first goal since Boxing Day last year, in fact! That came in a thrashing of Norwich in the Premier League.
He has his work cut out to earn game time this season but today’s performance has been very good so far.
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