FC Zurich 1 Arsenal 2 : Lagos-born striker on parade as Marquinhos announces himself to Europe

Arsenal kickstarted their Europa League campaign with a 2-1 win over Swiss opponents FC Zurich in a Group A fixture at Arena St. Gallen  on Thursday evening.

Lagos-born striker Tosin Aiyegun started and was in action for eighty minutes for FC Zurich before making way for Ivan Santini.

Aiyegun was scouted by former Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr after the 2018 World Cup but the 24-year-old has opted to represent Benin Republic, where his mother hails from, at international level and became cap-tied to The Cheetahs in June 2022 when he started an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Senegal.

Mikel Arteta made seven changes from last Sunday's 3-1 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford but there were no places in the squad for Nigeria-eligible duo Nathan Butler-Oyedeji and Zach Awe who have been registered for the Europa League.

Marquinhos, the teenage Brazilian, had a memorable debut. He fired the Gunners into the lead in the 17th minute but the home team leveled shortly before the break as Mirlind Kryeziu converted from the penalty spot.

Eddie Nketiah, who conceded the penalty, headed Arsenal back in front with Marquinhos creating the goal with a cross from the right hand side in the 62nd minute and it proved to be the game-winning goal.

Arsenal are back in action on Sunday when they face Everton in the Premier League, four days before the visit of PSV to the Emirates Stadium.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : arsenal.com

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