Bodo/Glimt vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League result and final score as Gunners hang on after Bukayo Saka goal
Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal: The Gunners survived a few scares as they held on to maintain their 100 per cent record in Europe this season
Arsenal continued their perfect Europa League record as Mikel Arteta’s side held on to claim a narrow win at the Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt thanks to Bukayo Saka’s first-half goal.
Bodo/Glimt had won 14 European home games in a row but Saka gave Arsenal the perfect start when he exchanged a one-two with Albert Sambi Lokonga, before the ball deflected off the attacker and into the net.
The hosts had their moments in the first half but it wasn’t until after the break that the Norwegian side really threatened Arsenal. Ola Solbakken went close before Runar Espejord wasted a great chance on the hour mark.
But Arsenal successfully weathered the storm to make it three wins out of three in Group A, continuing their excellent form ahead of Sunday’s trip to Southampton in the Premier League. Catch up with how Arsenal maintained their winning run before coverage continues with Manchester United vs Omonia Nicosia:
Bodo/Glimt vs Arsenal line-ups
Bodo/Glimt XI: Haikin, Sampsted, Lode, Hoibraten, Wembangomo, Vetlesen, Berg, Saltnes, Solbakken, Espejord, Pellegrino
Arsenal XI: Turner, White, Holding, Saliba, Tierney, Lokonga, Vieira, Odegaard, Saka, Nelson, Nketiah
Tonight’s venue
Bodo/Glimt play at the Aspmyra Stadion, which holds 8,270 spectators but the Norwegian club are hoping to build a new 10,000-seater stadium to mark Glimt being named European Capital of Culture for 2024, with the aim of making it the most sustainable stadium in the world.
The club’s supporters are known to bring a giant yellow toothbrush to their games, a tradition that started after the item was used by fans to conduct singing in the stands and for many years visiting teams have received a yellow toothbrush ahead of matches.
No Jesus for Arsenal
Arsenal have left Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus out of their squad for tonight’s Europa League game at Bodo/Glimt. He suffered a head injury in the Gunners’ 3-2 win over Liverpool on Sunday but the omission is to give the striker time to rest up.
The 25-year-old has played all 11 games for the Gunners this season, scoring five goals and registering five assists.
"We felt that with everything he’s been through in the last few weeks that it would be better for him to stay at home," said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
Mikel Arteta responds to criticism from former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hit back at criticism from former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - insisting his current squad is more “hard-working” than in previous years.
Aubamayang left the Emirates Stadium for Barcelona in February, his contract torn up having not been in and around the first-team after Arteta dropped his then-skipper for returning late from an agreed break.
His stint in Spain lasted just seven months before he returned to the Premier League with Chelsea and a video emerged in recent days of the Gabon forward slating Arteta’s management skills.
“To manage big characters or big players, he (Arteta) can’t deal with it,” Aubameyang was recorded as saying in an interview with A Jewellers.
“He (Arteta) needs some young players, they don’t say anything, they listen.”
Mikel Arteta responds to criticism from former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Arteta hit back after a video emerged in recent days of the now Chelsea forward slating his management skills.
Early team news and predicted line-ups
Kjetil Knutsen has few major injury concerns, though the Bodo/Glimt manager is still likely to be without Sondre Fet and Gaute Hoberg Vetti. Four second-half goals enabled the Norwegian side to overcome Sandefjord in their weekend league business, and striker Runar Espejord could return to the starting side.
Promising performances from Rob Holding, Eddie Nketiah and several other fringe first-teamers helped Arsenal to a comfortable win last week and there seems little doubt that Mikel Arteta will select a broadly similar side. Mohamed Elneny and Emile Smith Rowe remain unavailable for selection due to injury, but Oleksandr Zinchenko is also a doubt after missing the Liverpool win with a muscular problem.
Predicted line-ups
Bodo/Glimt XI: Haikin; Sampsted, Moe, Lode, Wembangomo; Vetlesen, Berg, Saltnes; Mvuka, Espejord, Pellegrino
Arsenal XI: Turner; Cedric, Holding, Tomiyasu, Tierney; Xhaka, Lokonga; Marquinhos, Vieira, Nelson; Nketiah
Bodo/Glimt vs Arsenal
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Europa League clashes.
Arsenal and Manchester United are in action with the Gunners looking to continue their winning streak that sees them top Group A whilst United are hoping to stay in touch with Real Sociedad in Group E.
Arsenal face Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the 5.45pm kick off and boss Mikel Arteta is expected to make a whole host of changes to the starting line-up. The Gunners won the reverse fixture 3-0 at the Emirates last week and will be hoping for a similar result tonight.
Following the conclusion of that game the focus will move over to Old Trafford where Manchester United welcome Omonia Nicosia. The visitors put up a tough fight in Cyprus last Thursday but United’s strength in depth shone through with Marcus Rashford coming off the bench to score twice and set up Anthony Martial in a 3-2 victory for the Red Devils. Manager Erik ten Hag will be want an easier time of things this evening.
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