Arsenal's task of qualifying for the round of 16 in the Europa League was finally achieved on Thursday night as the side ran out 1-0 winners over Swiss outfit FC Zurich. Going into the clash, Mikel Arteta's side needed to match or better the result of PSV Eindhoven as their defeat in the Netherlands last week meant anything less would result in a second-placed finish due to head-to-head results.
In that scenario, the North London side would have to play an extra game against one of the sides dropping from the Champions League in the round of 32. However, with fate in their own hands, they managed to just about squeeze past their opposition on the night.
Kieran Tierney's strike from the edge of the box gave them the lead in the first half, but plenty of chances to double that lead were put down. It made for a nervy ending as the away side clipped balls into the box to force some pressure, but the Gunners stood firm and held on.
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The national media have, as always, passed their judgement on the game so with that said, here's a look at their assessment of how Thursday's game played out.
Arsenal were praised for being able to get the job done, even if they did so without the flourish of a side looking to win the competition. The Mirror claim: "Nevertheless a win is a win and after Manchester United finished second to book a play-off match against a team dropping down from the Champions League, this was an important one. Arsenal have not often been described as workmanlike – and that might even be considered praise in these circumstances."
The Guardian were also more focused on the outcome of the clash than the performance itself, putting it down to fatigue and squad rotation: "In this uniquely concertinaed season, matches played every few days, squads in permanent rotation, results are probably all that matter. Though performances remain important, too, and as Arsenal lost focus against opponents who grew in belief, it appeared their minds had drifted to Sunday, and Chelsea. Three matches remain before Arsenal sign off for the World Cup, two in the Premier League, and still being leaders when football turns its focus on Qatar is clearly top priority."
The Telegraph held a similar sentiment too, claiming: "Top of the Premier League after 12 games, and top of their Europa League group at the end of this first phase of the competition. Arsenal could not have asked for much more from these first few months of the campaign and Mikel Arteta will know how important it is to have bypassed the knockout round playoffs of this draining European competition."
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