ARSENAL return to Europa League action TONIGHT feeling on top of the world which could spell trouble for their opponents Bodo/Glimt.The Gunners finally broke the Liverpool curse by beating the Reds 3-2 in a mouth-watering contest at the Emirates.
However, Mikel Arteta’s men will have to readjust their focus on the Europa League with the Norwegian giants being next up on the rota.
But the Gunners should be quietly confident having already brushed Bodo/Glimt aside in the reverse fixture.
Kick-off: 5.45pm
TV/live stream: BT Sport 2
Bodo XI: Haikin, Sampsted, Hoibraten, Lode, Wembangomo, Vetlesen, Berg, Saltnes, Solbakken, Espejord, Pellegrino
Arsenal XI: Turner, White, Holding, Saliba, Tierney, Lokonga, Odegaard, Saka, Vieira, Nelson, Nketiah
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The stage is set
It’s a bitterly cold night in Bodo this evening with rain forecast during the game.
The Arsenal players are out for a quick pitch inspection ahead of kick-off, which is just 45 minutes away.
.Credit: Getty
.Credit: Getty
Odegaard backs Arteta amid pitch concerns
Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard was resistant to using Bodo/Glimt’s artificial pitch as a potential excuse ahead of kick-off.
Odegaard stated: “The biggest mistake we can make is to talk too much about the pitch, the weather or whatever.
“For us the most important thing is to just come here and win the game… obviously it’s a bit different an we have to adjust a little bit, but it’s still football, still the same rules.”
The Norwegian returns to his homeland today as one of Arsenal’s standout players. The 23-year-old has scored three goals already this season, leading his side to the top of the Premier League table.
The ex-Real Madrid midfielder, previously dubbed one of football’s brightest young talents, appears to have finally found his groove under Mikel Arteta.
He struggled to get into the team at the Bernabeu, spending most of his time out on loan.
But since making the permanent switch to the Emirates in 2021, he has rediscovered his form and established himself as one of Arsenal’s and the Premier League’s best midfielders.
Arteta had this to say on awarding the Norwegian the captain’s armband: “He started to get the spotlight very, very early in his career and probably that’s why he is so mature at the age he is.”
.Credit: Getty
Panic over ‘plastic pitch’
Gunners fans have expressed concerns over the venue for this evening’s contest.
Bodo/Glimt’s ground features an artificial turf, which can be challenging for players who are used to playing on grass.
Roma boss Jose Mourinho was furious at the condition of the pitch when his side lost 6-1 here last season.
Mikel Arteta has played down the importance of the surface, stating that “a player can get injured on an artificial pitch, in a training session.”
The boss continued: “We have done what we have to do to try to protect the players as much as we can, but at the end of the day tomorrow for sure we have 11 players on the pitch.”
Jesus not in squad after skipping training
Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus is reported to have missed training yesterday morning with the Brazilian thought to be carrying an injury.
He hobbled off the pitch with three minutes to go against Liverpool after clashing heads with Kostas Tsimikas.
The forward hasn’t travelled with the squad to Norway ahead of this evening’s clash.
However, Arteta has revealed the decision is simply to rest him, stating: “We thought that with everything he’s been through in the last few weeks it was better that he stayed at home.”
Jesus has featured in every game for the Gunners since his arrival from Manchester City in the summer.
In the Brazilian’s absence, Eddie Nketiah is in line to get his third consecutive start in the Europa League.
Bodo/Glimt XI
Haikin, Sampsted, Lode, Hoibraaten, Wembangomo, Vetlesen, Berg, Saltnes, Solbakken, Pellegrino, Espejord
Substitutes: Amundsen, Lund, Gronbaek, Hagen, Konradsen, Moe, Mugisha, Salvesen, Larsen, Sorli, Zugelj
Saka and Odegaard start for Gunners
Arteta makes changes from the side that beat Bodo/Glimt last week, presumably favouring a back four as opposed to the wing-backs he used last time round.
White, Saliba, Odegaard, Nelson and Saka all come in.
Marquinhos, Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Xhaka and Martinelli drop out.
Turner, White, Holding, Saliba, Tierney, Lokonga, Odegaard, Saka, Vieira, Nelson, Knketiah
Gunners bench: Ramsdale, Hein, Tomiyasu, Cedric, Ibrahim, Gabriel, Partey, Smith, Xhaka, Marquinhos, Martinelli, Edwards
Good afternoon from Bodo
Hello football fans and welcome to this evening’s early kick-off between Bodo/Glimt and Arsenal in the Europa League.
Mikel Arteta’s men came away comprehensive 3-0 winners against the Norwegian Champions last week at the Emirates. Goals from Eddie Nketiah, Rob holding and Fabio Vieira secured the victory.
Fans will be hoping for a repeat this evening as the club look to continue their perfect start in Europe.
However, the Gunners might not have it all their own way. Bodo/Glimt have been devastating at home in Europe, winning their last 14 matches at the Aspmyra Stadion. A 4-1 domestic win on the weekend will have helped gear them up for this one.
That being said, Arsenal have an impressive record of their own to protect. They haven’t lost on the road at this stage of the competition in their last ten matches.
The action is scheduled for 17:45 on the Norwegian coast and we will bring you all the team news as we build up to kick-off.
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