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:
44' - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Approaching the interval now. An easy period of play for Arsenal, no real pressure on the ball from the away side.
Katic needed a bit of treatment there for a bang o the face but he’s fine to continue.
Selnaes does really well to intercept a low cross inside his own box but then tries to juggle the ball and volley it clear...instead he mis-controls, chests it past his own foot and then air-kicks as it runs behind for a corner. Gabriel fouls his man as the set piece comes in though.
40’ - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Another sweeping move from the Gunners, this time down the left, as Tierney raids into the final third and delivers a first-time cross - Vieira should score but his side-footed effort is blocked by the last defender.
Five minute until the break.
Zurich just about hanging in there but Arsenal should be a couple clear really.
36’ - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Okita’s shot is deflected after Holding lost possession, but Ramsdale adjusts his feet and parries it away to safety.
Vieira’s corner at the other end is met by Nketiah and his header is on-target - good save from Brecher.
PSV have taken the lead in Norway - if it stays that way, Arsenal will indeed have to win. Mission accomplished so far, but there’s a way to go.
32’ - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Vieira is clattered by Aliti and it’s a yellow card for him. Bit more aggression in that challenge than in the hand to the face which floored him a few minutes ago.
Then it’s Kamberi who claims Elneny has elbowed him in the face at a set piece, but the ref hasn’t seen it and we’re underway again.
29’ - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Incredible scramble in the Zurich box.
First, Nketiah is in and has his shirt pulled - should be a penalty. Instead he sets up Vieira whose shot is goalbound...until it hits Jesus in the backside, five yards from goal. Then it rebounds to Nelson and his curled shot is also blocked, with the flag then going up against Jesus anyway.
Still should have been a penalty.
25’ - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Nelson grazes the face of Aliti with a wayward hand and the big Kosovan goes down with a bellow of anguish. Incredibly, he’s absolutely fine to carry on playing ten seconds later.
Another mistake from Ramsdale then, as he absolutely smashes a square pass which is curled in front of Gabriel and straight out for a corner. Bizarre.
21’ - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Nketiah rifles a strike from 20 yards on target and forces the keeper into an awkward stop. Jesus follows up but it’s behind for a corner. Arsenal trying to punish the visitors and wrap up matters early.
GOAL! 17’ - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Out of nothing, White and Nelson link down the right, a shot is blocked and rebounds to Tierney and the Scot lashes a half-volley past the keeper and into the bottom corner!
Great strike from the left-back and the Gunners are ahead.
16’ - Arsenal 0-0 Zurich
A quiet opening quarter of an hour in truth at the Emirates. Still 0-0 between Bodo/Glimt and PSV, Mikel Arteta will be happy to hear.
Arsenal only need to win if PSV do too.
12’ - Arsenal 0-0 Zurich
Kamberi strides onto the ball and wallops it from a long way out, with predictable results.
Ramsdale is fortunate with a mis-hit pass out which Jesus turns into a good second ball for Vieira - until he in turn is tackled. Not much impact yet for Fabio Vieira, who probably needs to keep having big games in this competition to earn league minutes.
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