Arsenal will be looking to maintain their unbeaten streak in the Europe League as the Gunners travel to Norway to face Bodo/Glimt this Thursday. Having secured a compelling 3-0 victory in their previous meeting last week, Arsenal will be keen on extending their lead at the top of the group whilst the home side will be looking to avoid a poor result in hopes of moving up the table.
Having been amongst the most impressive sides in Europe hitherto, Arsenal will be looking for nothing but three points on Thursday. Likely to make a number of changes to the starting lineup, manager Mikel Arteta will be keen on continuing the team’s winning momentum, with the Gunners expected to emerge as strong contenders for the Europa League trophy this season.
On the other hand, having registered only one victory in three Europa League fixtures hitherto, Bodo/Glimt will be keen on avoiding a negative result on Thursday. With the team having secured an encouraging 4-1 victory against Sandefjord in the league over the weekend, the Norwegian side will be looking to deliver a competitive performance at home on Thursday.
When And Where?
Date: Thursday, 13th October 2022.
Time: 17:45 BST.
Venue: Aspmyra Stadium.
Team News
FK Bodø/Glimt
Sondre Fet and Gaute Hoberg Vetti remain out of contention owing to knee and hip injuries respectively, although manager Kjetil Knutsen is expected to have a fully fit squad at their disposal aside from the two midfielders. Runar Espejord and Ulrik Saltnes are likely to be included in the starting lineup this Thursday, owing to the duo having made a positive impact against Sandefjord. Knutsen is likely to field a strong line-up against Arsenal, with the team in need of a positive result on Thursday.
Arsenal
Mohamed Elneny and Emile Smith-Rowe remain sidelined due to injury while it remains to be seen if left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko recovers in time to make the starting line-up this Thursday. Rob Holding, Eddie Nketiah, and Fabio Vieira are likely to make the starting lineup, with Areta expected to grant game-time to a number of players including Albert Sambi-Lokonga and Marquinhos against Bodo/Glimt.
Match Analysis
In need of three points against Arsenal, the hosts will be keen on delivering a competitive performance whilst the Gunners will be looking for a comfortable victory on Thursday. With the visitors emerging as the clear favourites for three points, the hosts will be keen on delivering a statement performance this Thursday.
Having conceded three goals in their previous meeting, Bodo/Glimt will be keen on remaining compact in their defensive structure against Arsenal. With the Gunners having been amongst the most dynamic sides in attacking transitions this season, the Norwegian club are likely to employ a balanced approach; making it difficult for the opposition to break down their defence this Thursday. Expected to remain competitive in their application, Bodo/Glimt will be looking to capitalise on a relatively second-string Arsenal starting line-up, with the hosts hoping to avoid a negative result at home.
Meanwhile, expected to extend their lead at the top of the group, Arsenal will be keen on a positive result this Thursday. Having been amongst the most consistent teams this season, the Gunners are likely to employ a positive approach, with the side expected to dominate possession for large parts of the game at Bodo/Glimt. Unbeaten in five games heading into the fixtures, the Gunners will be confident in securing three points on Thursday.
Key Players
Hugo Vetlesen – Bodo/Glimt
Having netted two goals at the weekend, Vetlesen emerges as a vital figure to the team’s prospects for a victory on Thursday. An excellent passer with the ability to dribble past defenders whilst constantly finding himself in attacking positions, the 22-year-old Norwegian is expected to provide a challenge for Arsenal’s left-back, with the midfielder likely to be utilised on the right-hand-side of a midfield three on Thursday.
Fabio Vieira – Arsenal
Impressive in his short cameos in recent weeks, Vieira will be keen on delivering a notable performance on Thursday. Having netted a goal against Bodo/Glimt in the team’s 3-0 victory last week, the Portuguese midfielder will be keen on continuing to deliver valuable contributions moving forward.
Predicted Lineups
Bodo/Glimt Predicted XI vs Arsenal: Nikita Khaikin; Alfons Sampsted, Marius Høibråten, Marius Lode, Brice Wembangomo; Hugo Vetlesen, Patrick Berg, Ulrik Saltnes; Joel Mvuka, Runar Espejord, Amahl Pellegrino.
Arsenal Predicted XI vs Bodo/Glimt: Matt Turner; Cedric, Rob Holding, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kieran Tierney; Granit Xhaka, Albert Sambi-Lokonga; Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson; Eddie Nketiah.
