Arsenal Women 3-1 Zurich Women: Gunners secure comfortable win at the Emirates

Arsenal continued their unbeaten start to the season as a Jordan Nobbs volley and Lina Hurtig brace gave them a 3-1 win over FC Zurich last night.

The Gunners, who shocked Champions League holders Lyon with a 5-1 win last week, are now top of Group C after the French side tied 1-1 with Juventus.

This, played in front of a quiet Emirates crowd of 5,397 people, wasn’t as exciting as the win against Lyon, but it could be just as crucial. Jonas Eidevall’s squad are now on pole position to ensure they qualify from their group and if they can beat Juve next month they have every chance of finishing at the top.

In a lukewarm first half, the Gunners struggled to break through a stubborn Zurich defense with a Lotte Wubben-Moy header that came closest to the net in the first half.

But a magical moment from Nobbs brought the game to life in the 38th minute. The midfielder met Steph Catley’s cross with a stunning side volley that skimmed the bottom of the bar before hitting the back of the net.

Nobbs has struggled for playing time since returning from the injury that kept her out of the 2022 European Championship. This was her first start to the season and a reminder of what she can do if she gets the chance to play.

With the Gunners leading as halftime approached, a loss of concentration in the Zurich defense gave them a second. Beth Mead’s cross should have been cleared, but Mana Iwabuchi stole the ball from Eleni Markou before crossing over to Hurtig to go home at the nearest post.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first, as there was little action on either side. Arsenal were awarded two penalties, both of which were brushed aside by referee Lina Lehtovaara.

The first saw Katie McCabe knocked down in the penalty area before Vivianne Miedema collided with goalkeeper Lourdes Romero. The second appeal seemed stronger, as Miedema got to the ball first before Romero caught the attacker’s head with a wild punch.

For a moment, it looked like those decisions would continue to haunt Arsenal, as Zurich’s first strike in the second half delivered a goal out of nowhere. Markou shrugged off a half-hearted challenge from Miedema before shoving the ball over Jen Beattie for Seraina Piubel, who made a brilliant volley over Kaylan Marckese. The goal, Zurich’s first ever goal in the Champions League group stage, sparked wild celebrations from the part-time Swiss team. Every player from the bench ran out to celebrate with Piubel, who was in tears.

But Arsenal did not panic and two minutes later Hurtig restored the lead by two goals. Stina Blackstenius’ shot was parried by Romero and Hurtig was on hand to complete the rebound.

Eidevall’s only concern of the evening was losing Catley to a head injury midway through the second half. The Australian defender has been one of Arsenal’s best players this season, having switched from left-back to centre-back following injuries to Leah Williamson and Rafaelle.

The Gunners are hoping the versatile defender will be fit enough to face an in-form West Ham team in Sunday’s Women Super League game.