Arsenal vs FC Zurich preview: How to watch on TV, live stream, team news & prediction

Defeat in Eindhoven on Matchday 5 means Arsenal will likely have to beat bottom-of-the-group FC Zurich on Thursday night to progress into the Europa League round of 16.

The Gunners could’ve secured top spot against PSV last week but they were instead beaten soundly by the Eredivisie outfit. As a result, PSV are just two points adrift and they will finish top of Group A if they beat Bodø/Glimt on Matchday 6 and Arsenal are beaten at home by Zurich.

An unlikely scenario, I know, but we’ve seen far stranger things.

Mikel Arteta’s side quickly returned to winning ways on Sunday as they thrashed Nottingham Forest 5-0 in the Premier League. Reiss Nelson was at the double for the hosts as they returned to the top of the table.

A big domestic clash awaits the Gunners next weekend as they visit Chelsea, but Arteta will be forced to hand minutes to several first-team stars on Thursday to ensure they grab the point they need. Should they finish second in Group A, Arsenal will play two extra games in the play-off round next February.

Arsenal vs FC Zurich preview: How to watch on TV, live stream, team news & prediction

Here’s our preview of Arsenal’s upcoming Europa League contest against Swiss outfit FC Zurich.

How to watch Arsenal vs FC Zurich

When is kick-off? Thursday 3 November

What time is kick-off? 20:00 (BST)

Where is it played? Emirates Stadium

TV channel/live stream? BT Sport 2 (UK), DAZN (Canada), Paramount+ (US)

Referee? Erik Lambrechts

Arsenal Team News

Once again, a strong XI is expected from Arteta on Thursday. Bukayo Saka, however, should miss out after he took a knock to the ankle against Forest.

Mohamed Elneny and Oleksandr Zinchenko are both stepping up their respective recoveries but neither will be fit enough to play in this one, while Emile Smith Rowe is out until the new year.

Aaron Ramsdale could retain his place between the sticks even if Matt Turner does return to the matchday squad, while the likes of Gabriel, Martin Odegaard, and Gabriel Martinelli are expected to make Arteta’s starting XI.

Granit Xhaka is suspended.

FC Zurich Team News

Bo Henriksen will welcome Fabian Rohner back to the squad following a domestic suspension, but Mirlaid Kryeziu, Ilan Sauter, Blerim Dzemaili, Donis Avdijaj and Miguel Reichmuth are all sidelined.

Ex-Rangers defender Nikola Katic is also an injury doubt.

Henriksen will likely set his Zurich side up in a 3-4-1-2, and he could deploy the same starting XI from last Thursday’s 2-1 victory over Bodø/Glimt. However, Antonio Marchesano will likely come in for veteran Blerim Dzemaili.

Arsenal vs FC Zurich Predicted Lineups

Arsenal: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Lokonga, Odegaard, Vieira; Nelson, Nketiah, Martinelli.

FC Zurich: Brecher; Mets, Aliti, Kamberi; Boranijasevic, Selnaes, Conde, Guerrero; Marchesano; Okita, Tosin

Arsenal’s Recent Form

Arsenal 5-0 Nottingham Forest (30/10) – Premier League

PSV 2-0 Arsenal (27/10) – Europa League

Southampton 1-1 Arsenal (23/10) – Premier League

Arsenal 1-0 PSV (20/10) – Europa League

Leeds United 0-1 Arsenal (16/10) – Premier League

FC Zurich’s Recent Form

Sion 0-1 FC Zurich (30/10) – Swiss Super League

FC Zurich 2-1 Bodø/Glimt (27/10) – Europa League

FC Zurich 1-4 Grasshoppers (23/10) – Swiss Super League

Basel 0-0 FC Zurich (20/10) – Swiss Super League

FC Zurich 0-0 Young Boys (16/10) – Swiss Super League

Prediction

We can’t forget that Zurich are playing for something as well on Thursday night. Should they pip Bodø/Glimt to third spot (they’re a point behind), they’ll drop down into the Europa Conference League knockout play-off round.

The visitors will be determined to grab something at the Emirates, but the hosts should be far too good for a side that are currently languishing at the bottom of the Swiss Super League.

I don’t think the Gunners will have any difficulty blitzing beyond FC Zurich on Thursday, thus securing their place in the round of 16.

Prediction: Arsenal 4-0 FC Zurich