FC Zurich 1-2 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners begin UEL campaign with win

Arsenal opened their 2022/23 Europa League account with a 2-1 victory over FC Zurich in St. Gallen on Thursday evening.

The Gunners seized total control after taking the lead on the counter through debutant Marquinhos but a lapse in concentration from Eddie Nketiah allowed the hosts to equalise from the spot just before half-time.

A minute’s silence was held before the players went out for the second half following the sad announcement of Queen Elizabeth’s death.

The dynamic of the contest didn’t change at the start of the second half with Arsenal persistently probing against Zurich’s low block. Eventually, the visitors were rewarded as Nketiah headed in from Marquinhos’ teasing cross.

Mikel Arteta then introduced the big guns off the bench but the Gunners were unable to grab a third. Nevertheless, Zurich barely posed a threat at the other end and the visitors thus claimed a 2-1 victory to kick-start their European campaign.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their Europa League victory against Zurich.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Matt Turner (GK) – 5/10 – A nervy start and he wasn’t able to keep a clean sheet on debut.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (RB) – 6/10 – Nice to see him back in the starting XI and he produced a typically sound performance. Took up an inverted role for much of the match and wasn’t afraid to contribute further forward.

Rob Holding (CB) – 5.5/10 – Got away with a late foul due to offside in an otherwise quiet display. Not great with the ball, and didn’t have to do much defending.

Gabriel (CB) – 5.5/10 – Defended pretty well for the most part but his work on the ball left plenty to be desired. There were a couple of poor errors in the opening period.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 7/10 – This was the best iteration of Tierney that I’ve seen in a long time. The Scotsman was dynamic throughout and made plenty of marauding runs. He also occupied a more central zone when necessary. Made a brilliant block in the first half, too.

Continued on the next slide…

Midfielders

Sambi Lokonga (CM) – 6.5/10 – Ticked things over nicely and produced a wonderful pass for Fabio Vieira in the first half. Sometimes he was slightly over-ambitious with the ball. Thought there was some defensive improvement, even if Arsenal looked stretched in transition at times.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – 7/10 – Captained the side with Martin Odegaard on the bench and produced an efficient midfield display. Got through plenty of work in all phases and completed some lovely passes in the second half.

Fabio Vieira (CM) – 7/10 – Bright on his first start. Fabio Vieira kick-started the move that led to Arsenal’s opener and he always wanted the ball. Wasn’t afraid to take risks in possession or dart in behind the Zurich defence either.

Continued on the next slide…

Forwards

Marquinhos (RW) – 8/10 – What a debut! The Brazilian opened his Arsenal account with a well-taken finish to open the scoring and it was his brilliant cross that allowed Nketiah to head home the second. Hugely positive signs.

Eddie Nketiah (ST) – 7.5/10 – Eddie had quite the night. After brilliantly setting up Marquinhos for the opener, the striker gave away the penalty which allowed the hosts to equalise. However, he atoned midway through the second half by restoring Arsenal’s lead with a smart header.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – 5.5/10 – Perhaps didn’t have the impact he desired as he was outshone by Marquinhos and Eddie. Should’ve done better with a header early on.

Substitutes

Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6/10

Martin Odegaard – 5.5/10 

Bukayo Saka – 6/10

Gabriel Jesus – 6/10