Arsenal's 2022/23 Europa League campaign is off to an ideal start following a 2-1 win over FC Zurich on matchday one of the group phase.
Back in Europe competition after a full season without it, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta outlined his intent to make up for lost time by naming the strongest squad possible for the trip to Switzerland and handing starts to the likes of Granit Xhaka, Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli.
Furthermore, the Spaniard was able to get 90 minutes into the legs of Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu as well as hand first starts to Matt Turner and Fabio Vieira. But it was another summer signing in Marquinhos and Eddie Nketiah who stood out for Arsenal against FC Zurich with a goal and assist each.
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That win coupled with PSV Eindhoven - regarded as the closest challengers to the north London outfit to progress from Group A as winners - were held to a somewhat surprising 1-1 draw at home to Bodo/Glimt with Cody Gakpo rescuing a point for the hosts just after the hour mark.
This should set up next Thursday's game at the Emirates Stadium - should it go ahead as expected - very nicely as there's a chance for Arsenal to take full control of Group A if they can pick six points from their opening two games going into next month's double-header against the Norwegian outfit.
And thanks to a major rule change in the Europa League since the Gunners last competed in the competition during the 2020/21 season, there is an incentive for Arteta to name a strong starting line-up against PSV and increase his side's chances of topping the group come November.
As previously announced by UEFA: 'The eight group winners progress automatically to the round of 16. There will be additional knockout round play-offs prior to the round of 16; these will be between the eight UEFA Europa League group runners-up and the eight third-ranked teams from the UEFA Champions League groups.'
Now, this rule change effectively gives the Europa League something of a Champions League feel, but only for those who top their group as two extra games - previously the round of 32 stage - will be avoided. Previously, Arsenal haven't had too many problems topping their group, so can experience the benefits of the competition's new alterations if they repeat the trick this season.
The dream scenario for the Gunners is to beat PSV, take maximum points in back-to-back games against Bodo/Glimt then get the results required in their final two fixtures to qualify for the round of 16 stage as group winners thus avoiding the two round of 32 games in February 2023.
With no Premier League fixtures taking place this weekend as a mark of respect following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, avoiding two extra games early in the new year will come in handy when taking into consideration that the clash with Everton could be rearranged at some point in 2023.
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