Arsenal will be hoping to secure top spot in their Europa League group when they face FC Zurich on Thursday night.
After their 2-0 defeat to PSV last week, Arsenal must beat Zurich on Thursday to secure top spot in the group if PSV win, with the Dutch side beating Arsenal on head-to-head. If PSV win and Arsenal don't, the Gunners will still qualify for the Europa League knockout stages but will face a team dropping down from the Champions League rather than advancing straight to the last 16.
Zurich will be keen on picking up three points and won't make it easy for Arsenal, with a spot in the European Conference League still available for the Swiss side to claim. The reverse fixture between the two sides saw Mikel Arteta's side win 2-1 in the first game of Group A.
READ MORE: Arsenal get Bukayo Saka injury boost as Oleksandr Zinchenko trains ahead of FC Zurich clash
Bukayo Saka was forced off with a knock against Nottingham Forest on the weekend, but the winger -along with Oleksandr Zinchenko - was spotted in training prior to Thursday. Granit Xhaka is suspended for picking up three yellow cards in the first five games, whilst Matt Turner is a doubt after failing to make the bench for Arsenal on the weekend.
So, what could the score be in Arsenal's final Group A clash? We simulated the game to find out.
Arsenal vs FC Zurich simulated to get a score prediction
To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that Arsenal could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Viera, Sambi Lokonga, Odegaard; Nelson, Nketiah, Martinelli.
We predict that the visitors could line up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with their line-up as follows: Brecher; Kamberi, Katic, Aliti; Boranijasevic, Selnaes, Conde, Guerrero; Marchesano; Tosin, Okita.
Arsenal dominated the opening stages at the Emirates, with Arteta's side camped deep in the Zurich half as they looked for the opener. Gabriel Martinelli was causing trouble down the left flank, and the Brazilian assisted Martin Odegaard to send the Gunners ahead.
Martinelli let the ball run through his and his markers legs on the halfway line with a fantastic bit of skill, sending the Brazilian free down the left. On the break, Odegaard peeled away from his marker to find some space in the box, and when picked out by Martinelli, the midfielder swept his shot past the 'keeper and into the net.
Despite their strong start, Arsenal were pegged level just moments later when Jonathan Okita's glancing header at the near post turned Ole Kristian Selnaes corner into the net. The Gunners couldn't retake the lead before the break, but Odegaard managed to notch his and Arsenal's second of the game minutes after the restart.
Martinelli cut in from the left as he caused havoc once again, and his drilled pass into the box was cleverly flicked into the path of Odegaard by Eddie Nketiah. Through on goal, the Norwegian midfielder drilled a shot in at the near post to put Arsenal back in the lead.
It was a deserved goal for Arsenal, with the visitors struggling to cope with Odegaard's movement around the box. But, just two minutes after going back ahead, Reiss Nelson managed to capitalise on a defensive error to continue his impressive form and make it 3-1 to the Gunners.
A loose pass in the middle of the pitch saw Odegaard pounce on the ball, kickstarting a counter-attack for Arsenal. With numbers already forward, Odegaard slid in Nelson, and the winger fired a powerful strike past the 'keeper to make it 3-1.
Rob Holding was judged to have fouled Okita inside the box as Zurich were awarded a late penalty, and substitute Blerim Dzemaili dispatched it into the top corner to make it 3-2. The visitors couldn't find another goal as Arsenal held on for the win.
FIFA 23 predicted final score: Arsenal 3-2 FC Zurich
Here are the full-time match stats.
FIFA 23 predicts that a strong attacking display could see Arsenal beat Zurich on Thursday. A win would see the Gunners top Group A, which could potentially hand Arteta's side an easier draw in the knockout stages.
What do you think the final score will be? Let us know in the comments!
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