Arsenal’s Europa League group stage campaign continues on Thursday as they make the trip to Norway to face Bodo/Glimt.
The Gunners brushed aside Bodo/Glimt 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium last week in the reverse fixture to take firm control of Group A. They have won their opening two games in the Europa League and another victory in midweek should almost guarantee their place in the knockout rounds.
After beating Liverpool in a 3-2 thriller at home in the Premier League on Sunday, Mikel Arteta’s men go into this European tie as overwhelming favourites.
Oleksandr Zinchenko missed the weekend clash with Liverpool with another muscle injury and is ruled out of Thursday’s game.
Emile Smith Rowe (groin) and Mohamed Elneny (hamstring) are the other absentees.
Goalkeeper
Mikel Arteta will once again heavily rotate his side from the Liverpool game for this European encounter. Starting with the goalkeeping position, Matt Turner is expected to replace Aaron Ramsdale in the Arsenal lineup. He will be hoping to keep back-to-back clean sheets against Bodo/Glimt.
Defence
A few changes are expected in defence, with Cedric Soares and Kieran Tierney replacing Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu in the full-back positions, respectively. Both Cedric and Tierney will be given the license to go forward and contribute to build-up play in the final third.
Ben White should get a chance to operate in his natural position in central defence in the Arsenal lineup. He may partner Rob Holding at the heart of the Gunners’ defence, with the English duo hoping to keep a clean sheet in Norway.
Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu will offer cover in defensive positions.
Midfield
Albert Sambi Lokonga, Granit Xhaka and Fabio Vieira are likely to make up the midfield for Arsenal. With Lokonga sitting deep and protecting the backline, Xhaka and Vieira should have the freedom to drive forward and create meaningful openings for the forwards in the final third. They will also be responsible for controlling the tempo of the game and keeping Bodo/Glimt far away from Arsenal’s half.
Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard may get called upon from the bench if required.
Attack
A first start of the season for Reiss Nelson looks likely in the Arsenal lineup, and the young wide player will be keen to impress. Nelson, along with Marquinhos and Eddie Nketiah, should aim to cause all kinds of problems to the Bodo/Glimt defence.
Nketiah will want to continue scoring in the Europa League, while Marquinhos looks to make a mark in Norway. It will be a young front three for the Gunners but they are more than capable of destroying Bodo/Glimt on their home turf.
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