3 Arsenal Players that need to Impress Against FC Zurich

3 Arsenal players that need to impress against FC Zurich

Arsenal's English midfielder Bukayo Saka (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 4, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Arsenal kick off their Europa League campaign away to FC Zurich on Thursday as the Gunners look to bounce back from their defeat to Manchester United.

Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side’s perfect start to the season came to an end at Manchester United’s hands on Sunday. The Gunners are still top of the Premier League table, so all is not lost.

The best thing for a team to do when they lose a match is to have another one as soon as possible. For Arsenal, that comes on Thursday when they face FC Zurich in their Europa League group stage opener.

Arsenal were dominant against United but they simply could not find a way through the home side’s defence (more than once). When they did (Bukayo Saka equalised on the hour), they were hit with a sucker punch as Marcus Rashford netted a quick-fire double either side of an ill-fated triple substitution.

Many supporters are currently down, but it is only one game. Arsenal are indeed going into the match against FC Zurich as huge favourites.

3 Arsenal players that need to impress against FC Zurich

But which players need to step up for Mikel Arteta in Switzerland? Here are three.

1. Sambi Lokonga

The 22-year-old could not build on his excellent performance against Aston Villa at Old Trafford. With Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny injured, the Belgian will be called upon a lot over the next couple of weeks.

It is imperative that Arsenal get off to a good start in Europe, and being away from home, Lokonga will have to improve on his outing against United.

That United goal probably gives you a sense of how difficult Lokonga's role in the team is. He needs to help them get the ball up the pitch and then he needs to be right back in front of the defence before you know it. And he absolutely was not where he need to be then.
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) September 4, 2022

The Belgian has shown that he can be a viable piece of Arsenal’s midfield and spray the ball around the pitch while keeping his team ticking over. We need to see a bounce-back performance from Lokonga on Thursday.

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