Zurich vs. Arsenal Betting Tips: Eddie Nketiah can sparkle in Switzerland

Premier League leaders Arsenal will bid to bounce back from their first defeat of the season when they travel to Switzerland on Thursday for their opening Europa League group stage clash against out-of-sorts Swiss champions Zurich. The game will be live on BT Sport 2 in the early evening kick-off at 5.45pm, and you can find two tips for the encounter below…

Arsenal will be looking to make up for lost time in Europe after missing out completely last season. Now back in the Europa League, the Gunners have been placed in a really exciting Group A alongside Zurich, PSV, and Bodø/Glimt.

Mikel Arteta’s men may have suffered the first minor dent of their season in a 3-1 defeat at Man Utd last weekend, however they have been brilliant at times this term; winning five of their six games and scoring 14 goals in the process. High-profile new signings Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko have slotted in effortlessly, as has the returning William Saliba.

While Arsenal sit top of the Premier League, Swiss champions Zurich have endured a shocking defence of their title, failing to win any of their opening seven games which leaves the club second-from-bottom of the 10-team league - only goal difference keeps them off the foot of the table. Zurich also suffered a blow on the continent after they lost 5-4 on aggregate to Qarabag in the Champions League qualifiers. They’ve since beaten Linfield and Hearts to book their place in the main draw, but have been thrown in a challenging group and now face a difficult task of attempting to overcome favourites Arsenal in their first match.

The contrast in early season form between the teams means it will surprise few to see Arsenal installed as the 1/4 favourites for this one. Zurich are 11/1 to make a mockery of their league displays and whip up a surprise win in front of their fans, whereas a draw can be found at 11/2.

Mikel Arteta could make changes for this match as he looks to keep things fresh. One player who is likely to be in-line for a rare start is Eddie Nketiah, who has been restricted to substitute appearances so far this term due to the impact of new star Gabriel Jesus, who in fairness has been superb so far.

It’s still a difficult one to swallow for the 23-year-old who finished the previous campaign in such sparkling goalscoring form: scoring five goals in Arsenal’s final seven matches. During that run of form he accrued 23 shots - five or more shots in three different games - 11 of which were on goal. Despite being restricted to just 76 minutes of Premier League action this term, the striker has accumulated six shots, three of which have been on target.

Nketiah could have an ideal opportunity to prove himself, once again, on Thursday night in Switzerland. When Arsenal were last in the Europa League, he scored three goals in six group stages appearances (2020/21), and found the back of the net in each of his last two starts in the competition. A talented and technical sharpshooter who possesses craft and guile, I like the look of him at 11/10 to score anytime (UniBet) against a vulnerable Zurich side, and in the process really give his gaffer something to think about.

I'll also be having a little dabble on Eddie Nketiah in the shots on target market.

William Hill have slapped boosted odds of 4/1 (from 3/1) on the youngster to have over two shots on target tonight.

While not being privy to Arteta's starting-11, Nketiah is surely set for a start and should play the majority of the match. He's not exactly short of confidence in front of goal, having had 23 shots in his last seven starts, resulting in five goals.

Zurich have already conceded 22 goals in 13 games in all competitions this season, leaking in three or more in four different games. This is an ideal opportunity for Nketiah to open up his account for the season and I fancy him to pepper the home goal throughout.