ARSENAL made it four wins out of four in all competitions with a dominant 3-0 victory over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.
Eddie Nketiah opened the scoring before Rob Holding’s header doubled the lead before the break.
Fabio Vieira wrapped up the win five minutes before the final whistle after some stunning work from sub Gabriel Jesus.
Liverpool are up next for the Gunners on Sunday afternoon
- Result: Arsenal 3-0 Bodo/Glimt
- Arsenal XI: Turner, Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Lokonga, Vieira, Xhaka; Marquinhos, Nketiah, Martinelli
- Bodo/ Glimt XI: Haikin; Wenbangomo, Lode, Moe, Sampsted; Vetlesen, Berg, Saltnes; Mugisha, Espejord, Pellegrino
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Everything is rosy at the Emirates this season and Mikel Arteta can seemingly do no wrong.
In the not too-distant past it would have been a risk to rotate his squad to the extent that he did so tonight, but he was fully vindicated in his decision.
Players such as Tomiyasu and Lokonga fitted seamlessly in to the side as Arsenal comfortably dispatched their Norwegian opposition.
Bodo/Glimt will have the opportunity to avenge their defeat next Thursday when the Gunners travel to the Arctic Circle for the return fixture.
Before that for Arsenal though is the small matter of a Premier League showdown with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
Arteta’s post-match quotes
The Arsenal boss was particularly happy with his team’s attacking quality tonight.
In the final third we looked really dangerous. When we got into those positions we were a threat.
Mikel Arteta
Marquinhos flatters to deceive
Marquinhos was possibly the only Arsenal player who failed to impress his manager tonight.
The Brazilian struggled to impose himself on the game and was substituted by Arteta early in the second half.
Marquinhos will likely get another opportunity next week when Arsenal travel to Norway to face tonight’s opponents in the return fixture.
Nketiah post-match reaction
Eddie Nketiah has two goals in two Europa League games tonight but he is clearly looking for more game time in the future.
It’s nice to get two wins and go top. Hopefully I can keep scoring and keep pushing for minutes.
Eddie Nketiah
Arsenal take top spot
Tonight’s victory has lifted Arsenal to top spot in Group A.
The Gunners sit two points above Bodo/Glimt and PSV with a game in hand.
If they win the next game then their safe passage to the knockout rounds will almost be a formality.
Perfect night for the Gunners
It’s the dream scenario for any manager: give most of your star players a rest and have the rest of the squad step up in their absence.
If Arsenal are to maintain their fast start to the season they will need the whole squad to contribute.
Arteta will certainly be going to bed a happy man tonight.
Full-Time: Arsenal 3-0 Bodo/Glimt
And that’s it!
Arsenal maintain their momentum and register yet another victory.
Arteta did have to call on some of his stars in the second half to ensure that the team didn’t drop it’s level but all’s well that ends well.
Bodo/Glimt were second best for large parts of the game and just didn’t have enough quality at the top end of the pitch in the end.
Stay with us for all the post-match reaction!
Arsenal 3-0 Bodo/Glimt
90, It’s actually Bodo/Glimt who almost get a consolation goal!
Turner does well to deny Solbakken at the near post to preserve his clean sheet.
The Arsenal goalkeeper has done well tonight.
Arsenal 3-0 Bodo/Glimt
90, There will be three minutes of added time to be played.
Can Arsenal add a fourth?
Arsenal 3-0 Bodo/Glimt
89, Rob Holding, who hasn’t played since Arsenal’s last game in this competition against FC Zurich, is down with cramp.
The Bodo/Glimt players seem happy for the rest.
Arsenal 3-0 Bodo/Glimt
86, Arsenal almost score a fourth just seconds later when Reiss Nelson finds space in the box, but the Bodo/Glimt defender does well to get a block in at the last minute.
Goal! Arsenal 3-0 Bodo/Glimt (Vieira)
84, Vieira gets the goal but this one is all down to Gabriel Jesus.
First Jesus drops a shoulder to turn away from his marker on the left wing, then he beats another defender in the box before rolling the ball across for Fabio Vieira to finish.
That was a goal dripping with quality.
Arsenal 2-0 Bodo/Glimt
82, Arteta makes his final change of the night as Eddie Nketiah is replaced by his fellow academy graduate, Reiss Nelson.
There’s a player who could do with a goal to boost his confidence and kickstart his career.
Arsenal 2-0 Bodo/Glimt
79, Nketiah misses a one-on-one!
He is played in behind by a wonderfully weighted through ball by Martin Odegaard but Nketiah leans back as he strikes the ball and blazes his effort over the bar.
Arsenal 2-0 Bodo/Glimt
78, Tomiyasu has moved across to left back since Ben White’s introduction.
The England defender has taken up his usual position on the right side of the back four.
Arsenal 2-0 Bodo/Glimt
76, The Bodo/Glimt fans in the corner of the ground seem determined to enjoy their trip to London.
They haven’t stopped singing since the game kicked off an hour and a half ago.
Arsenal 2-0 Bodo/Glimt
73, Kjetil Knutsen is making two changes to his side as Ola Solbakken and Albert Gronbaek are introduced in place of Joel Mvuka and Hugo Vetlesen.
Arsenal 2-0 Bodo/Glimt
72, Bodo/Glimt create another opening but just can’t find the bit of quality that could get them back into this game.
Arsenal 2-0 Bodo/Glimt
69, Arteta has called Ben White back from his warm-up on the touchline and the defender comes on to make his debut in European club football.
Kieran Tierney is the player to make way.
Arsenal 2-0 Bodo/Glimt
66, Bodo/Glimt’s number 10, Hugo Vetlesen has been impressive in this second half.
He seems happy to receive the ball under pressure but hasn’t yet been able to get his final pass quite right.
Arsenal 2-0 Bodo/Glimt
63, Arteta’s substitutions seem to have done the trick.
Arsenal have noticeably improved in possession since he changed things.
Arsenal 2-0 Bodo/Glimt
61, Gabriel Jesus is operating on the left of Arsenal’s forward three with Saka on the right and Nketiah central.
Arsenal 2-0 Bodo/Glimt
58, Mikel Arteta has seen enough and he has called for the big guns.
Saka, Jesus and Odegaard are introduced in place of Marquinhos, Martinelli and Xhaka.
A bold call with a big game against Liverpool looming at the weekend.
Arsenal 2-0 Bodo/Glimt
57, Bodo/Glimt are getting closer!
Pellegrino fires a shot at goal that nutmegs both Arsenal centre-backs before being well-saved by Turner.
Arsenal 2-0 Bodo/Glimt
56, Arsenal are really struggling to keep hold of the ball at the moment as Bodo/Glimt pen them back inside their own half.
The Home crowd are getting a little bit restless.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
