Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says “winning helps to win” as his side beat Zurich to book their place in the last 16 of the Europa League.
Karen Tierney’s sublime 20-yard drive into the bottom right corner ensured the Gunners finished top of Group A on 15 points, two clear of PSV Eindhoven.
It was also the Premier League leaders’ 10th win in 12 matches in all competitions, a habit Arteta will be keen to maintain with his side facing three more matches before the World Cup season break in Qatar.
“The job is done, I don’t think it was the prettiest game we’ve played but we managed to win it,” Arteta told BT Sport.
“Today was really important. We know how important it is with all the teams playing in February. A win helps win.”
“The atmosphere in the dressing room is much better after a win than a loss.”
While Arsenal’s margin of victory could have been more significant, there were still other positives for Arteta.
The Spaniard was able to introduce Saka after the break to address fitness concerns and also rested a number of key players ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Chelsea.
The only complaint was that Arsenal didn’t put the result beyond doubt during a dominant first-half display in which Eddy Nketiah twice clipped the palms of Zurich goalkeeper Yank Bracher, and Fabio Vieira’s goal-bound effort went wide. Seen closely restrained.
It ensured a nervy finale with Adrian Guerrero’s left-footed effort ruled out for offside and Ukrainian forward Bogdan Vynyk saw his blistering drive fly just wide of the top-left corner as the visitors equalised. Searched.
However, the hosts held on and have now won all eight of their matches against Swiss clubs in European competition.
Excavation of Weapons
Arsenal’s defeat at PSV left them needing a win to guarantee their promotion without the prospect of a two-legged play-off against one of the clubs who dropped out of the Champions League in February.
While they made a slow start, largely due to their revamped line-up which saw seven changes from last Sunday’s 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest, the Premier League leaders achieved their goal. took
Arteta’s side have now won all nine of their home games in all competitions this season but it won’t be a performance he will be referring to any time soon, and he will also see Japan international Takehiro Tomyasu limping off under 15. Will be upset. Minutes after coming on as a substitute.
And just as nerves began to fray with the news that PSV were ahead in Norway against Bodø/Gulmt, Arsenal retreated to their own goal and provided plenty of encouragement for the opposition, who are currently six points adrift at the bottom of the Swiss league. are
The form of Gabriel Jesus, who has now gone eight games without a goal, is also a situation in which Arteta believes the Brazilian missed a glorious chance after the break as Brecher again came to the rescue for the visitors.
“It definitely worries him,” added Arteta.
“When he scores two, he wants to score four. He had two good chances but what he creates for the team is amazing. Last week he had three assists. Was in on the action. The goals will come.”
