Following the postponement of their matchday-two fixture against PSV Eindhoven, Arsenal return to Europa League action to take on Bodo/Glimt at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s side started their fifth Europa League campaign in six years off on the front foot as goals on either side of half-time handed them a 2-1 win at Zurich on day one.
But forced to play catch-up after facing the delay due to the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Gunners come into proceedings as Group A runners-up.
With just one point separating them from section-leaders Bodo/Glimt, the Premier League high-flyers will grasp the Emirates field looking to take all three points and the Norwegians’ place in the standings.
Confidence must be at an all-time high in north London these days after Arsenal put bitter city rivals Tottenham Hotspur to the sword on Saturday, claiming an overwhelming 3-1 home victory.
On the other hand, despite playing against the odds here, Kjetil Knutsen’s men are no strangers to pulling off massive upsets, as witnessed by last season’s 6-1 win over Roma in the Europa Conference League.
They have picked up where they left off last term, holding PSV to a 1-1 draw in a curtain-raising Group A outing before securing a 2-1 home win over Zurich.
Keen to progress beyond the group stages of a major European competition for the second season on the bounce, the back-to-back Norwegian champions will be out to prove their value.
Match Preview
Arsenal
Since Arsenal have clocked up five wins and a draw from their six previous European clashes against Norwegian adversaries, it’s no strange they come into this showdown as pre-match favourites.
They have been relentless in the attacking third when Norwegian teams have previously visited London, averaging 4.33 goals per game across three home encounters (W3).
While you’d expect the Gunners to maintain that trend, a three-game winless home streak in European football (D2, L1) means Arteta’s men need to stay focused.
Bodo/Glimt
Bodo/Glimt have developed a habit of defying the odds in Europe in recent years and have won both European ties against British rivals, Celtic and Linfield, so far.
However, with Thursday’s visit to London marking the Norwegians’ first-ever continental match-up against English opposition, Knutsen’s side could find themselves in unfamiliar territory.
The visitors’ poor form on their recent continental travels is unlikely to inspire much confidence in the Norwegian camp as they’ve won just once in their last 13 European outings on foreign soil (D7, L5).
Arsenal vs Bodo/Glimt Potential Line-ups
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Matt Turner; Takehiro Tomiyasu, Rob Holding, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kieran Tierney; Granit Xhaka, Albert Sambi Lokonga; Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira, Gabriel Martinelli; Eddie Nketiah.
Bodo/Glimt (4-3-3): Nikita Haikin; Alfons Sampsted, Brede Moe, Marius Hoibraten, Brice Wembangomo; Ulrik Saltnes, Patrick Berg, Hugo Vetlesen; Joel Mvuka, Runar Espejord, Amahl Pellegrino.
How to Watch?
Arsenal vs Bodo/Glimt, alongside all other Gunners’ competitive fixtures this season, is available to watch online via Arsenal live streams.
Arsenal vs Bodo/Glimt Prediction
Bodo/Glimt deserve the benefit of the doubt, and the worst thing Arsenal can do is underestimate the Norwegians.
Though Arteta will likely reshuffle the deck for this fixture, we expect the Gunners to approach the game with the proper mindset and capture another victory in style.
But we wouldn’t put it past the visitors to find the net.
Arsenal 3-1 Bodo/Glimt
