Zurich vs Arsenal prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-09-07 16:45.
ZĂŒrich return to UEFA European competition after a three-season absence, but the Swiss Champions have been dealt a tough hand to open their campaign as they host Arsenal. ZĂŒrich have witnessed a mixed bag of results when hosting English clubs (W2, L2), though they havenât met one in Europe since beating Aston Villa 2-0 in the 2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup. Playing this game away from their usual surroundings and at St. Gallenâs Kybunpark is unlikely to do them any favours then, as they aim to shock the Premier League (PL) leaders.
ZĂŒrich have already dumped out British opposition in Linfield and Hearts on their way to securing a UEFA Europa League (UEL) group stage spot though, securing home victories against both. In spite of a 2-1 Swiss Super League home defeat against Lugano on Saturday, ZĂŒrich have proved they are no pushovers in the UEL groups, losing just two of their last 12 UEL group stage games in Switzerland (W6, D4).
Arsenal could come into this clash on a downer, having missed the chance to consolidate top spot in the PL on Sunday, as they slumped to a 3-1 defeat against Manchester United. In what is Arsenalâs fifth UEL campaign in the last six seasons, there is likely to be an element of âwhat couldâve beenâ for Arsenal, who missed out on UEFA Champions League (UCL) football on the final matchday last season, though Mikel Arteta will know this competition serves as a potential route back into the UCL for his side.
It was an away performance which let Arsenal down at the weekend, but they do tend to excel on their travels in the UEL, remaining unbeaten in their last nine group stage away games (W7, D2). A sixth-straight UEFA victory against Swiss opposition would be a swift return to winning ways here for Arsenal, as they hunt a first European trophy since the 1993/94 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.
Players to watch: ZĂŒrichâs Donis Avdijaj has netted a double on both his goalscoring appearances this season, whilst Arsenalâs Granit Xhaka returns to his native Switzerland and boasts an unbeaten personal record against ZĂŒrich (W5, D2).
Hot stat: Arsenal have won 75% of their group stage matches in the UEFA Europa League (W18, D4, L2).