Arsenal player ratings v Zurich: Tierney 8, Jesus 7, Nketiah 8

Gunners beat Swiss side 1-0 at Emirates Stadium to seal top spot in Europa League group

Soccer Football - Europa League - Group A - Arsenal v FC Zurich - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 3, 2022 Arsenal's Kieran Tierney celebrates scoring their first goal with Mohamed Elneny and Aaron Ramsdale REUTERS / David Klein

Ben White 7: Beaten by the tricky Aiyegun Tosin in opening couple of minutes but was pretty much immaculate for rest of game. Decision making and timing of challenges spot on. Reuters

Rob Holding 7: Another who found Tosin a handful early on before stamping his authority on the game, only for Arsenal to become nervy at the back in the remaining 10 minutes as Zurich pressed for leveller. EPA

Gabriel 7: Gave Zurich attackers very little joy and was dominating presence in centre of defence. Always a handful in opposition box from dead balls. Late booking as Zurich piled on some pate pressure. AP

Arsenal's Scottish defender Kieran Tierney looks on after his shirt was torn during the UEFA Europa League Group A football match between Arsenal and FC Zurich at The Arsenal Stadium in London, on November 3, 2022. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

Mohamed Elneny 7: Egyptian midfielder was playing his first game since end of August and was calming influence in front of the Arsenal defence. Getty

Albert Sambi Lokonga 6: Not the greatest starts to game as Arsenal struggled to retain possession in opening 15 minutes. Improved as game went on without any stand-out moments. AP

Reiss Nelson 7: Clever ball to pick out White at start of move that ended with Tierney scoring. Not as impressive as his two-goal performance against Nottingham Forest last weekend but still decent show. Reuters

Fabio Vieira 7: Went for spectacular acrobatic volley in first half … but completely missed ball. Had goal-bound blocked by teammate Gabriel soon and another by Guerrero. AP

Eddie Nketiah 8: Had shot and a header saved by keeper Yanick Brecher in first half, and the latter stop was excellent. Should have earned side a penalty when clearly had shirt pulled but nothing given. AP

Gabriel Jesus 7: Brazilian should have made it 2-0 just after break only to see close-range finish turned over bar via back of keeper. Too quick and skilful at times for Zurich which resulted in him being on the receiving end of a few fouls. PA

SUBS: Bukayo Saka (On for Jesus 63’) 6: No real chance to add to his five goals this season but pace always gives Arsenal an attacking option. Getty

Thomas Partey (On for Elneny 63’) 6: Straight into game, spraying passes out wide from base of midfield but guilty of gifting ball away to Zurich late on and add to Gunners' nerves. AFP

Martin Odegaard (On for Vieira 73’) 6: No chance to make impact. Getty

Takehiro Tomiyasu (On for White 73’) N/A. Big worry for Arsenal – and Japan with the World Cup looming - when defender had to come off injured in last few minutes. Getty Cedric Soares (On for Tomiyasu 88’) N/A.

Kieran Tierney’s first-half goal secured a 1-0 home victory for Arsenal over Zurich and top spot in Europa League Group A on Thursday.

Tierney’s superb 25-yard strike secured Arsenal a win in a game they largely dominated but had to withstand pressure from the Swiss side at the end to finish with 15 points, two ahead of second-placed PSV Eindhoven.

The eight group winners qualify for the last 16 while the runners-up compete in the play-offs where they face the teams that came third in their Champions League groups, with potential opponents including Ajax, Barcelona and Juventus. The draw for the next stage will be held on Monday.

Arsenal spurned numerous opportunities to double their advantage and were almost made to pay.

Gabriel Jesus unwittingly kept out a goal-bound shot from teammate Fabio Vieira when it struck him a few yards out with goalkeeper Yanick Brecher beaten.

Zurich had the ball in the back of the net from a rare foray forward in the second half, but Adrian Guerrero was flagged for offside, and they wasted a number of late chances to snatch a draw.

"He was really good,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said of Scotland international Tierney, who has found himself out of the first-choice starting XI this season.

“Kieran is showing a lot of maturity. He has respected certain decisions we have taken. He has played a lot of minutes and today he scored a great goal. That's what we demand of the players: to be ready to make a difference.

“Everybody has to be ready and is important because we don't have the biggest squad. They have been important in the league and the Europa League.”

In the gallery above you can see the player ratings from Thursday's match at the Emirates Stadium. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.