Brazilian striker Marquinhos scored on his debut for Arsenal, who started their UEFA Europa League campaign with a 2-1 win over FC Zurich.
UEFA Europa League
Result: FC Zurich 1-2 Arsenal
Date: 08 September 2022
Venue: Kybunpark
The Gunners made wholesale changes from their defeat against Manchester United, as only Gabriel, Granit Xhaka, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Gabriel Martinelli remained, meanwhile there were debuts for goalkeeper Matt Turner and forward Marquinhos.
Mikel Arteta's charges had a bright start as Marquinhos gave them the lead on 16 minutes with a first-time strike into the top corner after a well weighted cross by Eddie Nketiah.
The visitors continued to fashion chances but Zurich had their best chance ten minutes before the half-time break after Ole Salnaes latched onto a cross in the box but his strike was deflected by a block from Kieran Tierney.
Franco Foda's charges gained momentum and Mirlind Kryeziu snatched the equaliser on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot, as he sent Turner the wrong way after Nketiah had pushed down Fidan Aliti.
Arsenal regained their dominance on the ball early in the second stanza and Nketiah eventually restored their lead just after the hour-mark with a downward header after his run was spotted by Marquinhos, with a great delivery.
Arteta made a triple change after that as he called upon the experience and fresh legs of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Marin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka and later on Gabriel Jesus also entered the fray.
The Gunners were in charge of the match in the last quarter of an hour, as they pushed Zurich further down in their own half, searching for a goal that would seal the deal.
As Zurich pushed numbers forward in the dying minutes, Jesus almost put the game to bed for the visitors with a low strike in the box that was met by the feet of goalkeeper Yanick Brecher, as the two goals were enough to seal the win.
Here are the 12 highest-paid players in Europe this season:
