Europa League Round-Up: Arsenal Off To Winning Start, Sociedad Beat Man Utd At Old Trafford
Brazilian teenager Marquinhos scored on his Arsenal debut as the Gunners started their Europa League campaign with a 2-1 win over FC Zurich in Switzerland on Thursday.
Nineteen-year-old Marquinhos, signed from Sao Paulo in June, finished first time from a low Eddie Nketiah cross in the 16th minute to put Arsenal ahead in the city of St Gallen.
Zurich, who were Swiss champions last season for the first time since 2009, equalised just before half-time when Mirlind Kryeziu converted a penalty after a foul in the box by Nketiah.
However, Nketiah made up for that by scoring the winning goal just after the hour mark, heading in a hanging cross from Marquinhos.
The win made it the perfect start in Group A for Arsenal, after coach Mikel Arteta made eight changes to his line-up following the 3-1 weekend defeat at Manchester United in the Premier League.
Group rivals PSV Eindhoven and Bodo/Glimt drew 1-1 in the Netherlands, with Cody Gakpo equalising for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side after Albert Gronbaek had given the Norwegian champions the lead. Arsenal will welcome PSV to the Emirates Stadium next Thursday.
Meanwhile, Manchester United lost to Real Real Sociedad in their opening Europa League clash at Old Trafford on Thursday.
A Brais Mendez 59th-minute penalty condemned Erik ten Hag’s side to a home defeat, days after United ended Arsenal’s winning start to the Premier League campaign.
United led English football’s tributes to Queen Elizabeth II before their defeat against Real Sociedad.
United, West Ham, and Arsenal players — the Premier League teams in action in Europe’s second and third-tier tournaments — all wore black armbands after the Queen died aged 96 earlier in the day. There were sombre atmospheres at Old Trafford and the London Stadium, with United and West Ham both holding a minute’s silence prior to kick-off.
Former United, Chelsea, and Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho paid a sombre tribute to the Queen after Roma’s 2-1 Europa League loss at Bulgarian side Ludogorets.
“I’m so sorry. I have lived in England for many years, my family is there,” Mourinho told Sky Sports Italy.
“I don’t think there’s anyone who doesn’t appreciate this great woman, I’m sorry.”
During an immaculately observed minute’s silence in Manchester, United’s players linked arms while Sociedad did the same on the other side of the centre circle.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin added: “UEFA and European football are truly saddened by the passing away of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, one of the world’s most respected figures.
“Our thoughts are with her family and the President of the English Football Association Prince William, as well as with the citizens of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth realms.”
