Morning all.
Another match day is upon us and this one is an earlier kickoff, 5.45pm. Pre match, a number of questions were put to Mikel Arteta about the pitch which is of course, artificial but he wouldn’t be drawn into using that as a reason to change his approach to the game. I think the pitch gives Bodo/Glimt an advantage but only because they’re used to playing on it unlike Arsenal.
I think we saw enough of tonight’s opposition a week ago to know that they’re a good side who can if given the opportunity, cause us problems. In front of their own fans, it’s likely they’ll be ready from the off. The stadium is small, with just under a 9,000 capacity but I bet it’ll be loud.
Gabriel Jesus hasn’t travelled to Norway, he’s been through too much in recent weeks said Mikel Arteta. Emile Smith Rowe and Mo Elneny remain out and during his press conference, Mikel Arteta hinted that injuries have prevented a few others from travelling too but we’ll only find out later who they are.
I’d imagine the starting eleven will again be very different to the one which beat Liverpool, perhaps the difference being which of the ‘first team’ players start. Granit Xhaka, Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli started last weeks match so maybe they’ll be on the bench.
A victory in Norway would secure qualification to the knockout stage because both Bodo and Zurich have already played three matches, four after tonight so neither club would be able to catch us up. As we know though, a boring and defensive Jose Mourinho side got thumped 6-1 by Bodo in Norway just a year ago. In fact, Bodo have won their last 14 home matches in European competitions so it’s not going to be a walk in the park for Mikel Arteta’s team tonight.
Arteta on Bodo/Glimt:
They are one of the contenders to be at the top of the group for sure at the end of the games. Tomorrow (today) again we will have a difficult test. Their supporters were really loud, really passionate and I spoke to Martin about it. He mentioned to expect a great atmosphere here and it’s great. That’s why you travel into Europe as well.
For captain Martin Odegaard, it’s a trip back to where his footballing career started and against the club he played his first league game as a 15 year old. Now he’s 23 and captain for his club and country. Quite a journey he’s had really and even now I can’t understand why Real Madrid didn’t think he was either good enough or right for them. I’m glad they didn’t though because he’s a quality footballer.
Speaking to the media after landing in Norway, our captain said:
I think the biggest mistake we can make is to talk too much about the pitch, the weather or whatever. The most important thing is just to come here and win the game, that’s all that matters. We are not going to focus too much on the pitch, obviously it’s different and we have to adjust a little bit but it’s still football, it’s still the same rules and we are going to go out to win the game.
He’s right of course, there are no excuses ahead of tonight, it’s just a game of football between two clubs who want to win. Bodo need a win more than we do but as said, the sooner we secure qualification to the knockout stage better.
Our captain also talked about his memories of making his club debut 10 years ago in Norway…
Yeah, I remember it well. I was a kid, I feel young today but that was about eight, ten years ago so I was a kid. It was a good time obviously, I was playing football, having fun, enjoying life doing what I love. It was a great time, everything went really quick but I enjoyed it and there’s nothing more to say, it was fun.
I read something about the Bodo fans heading to the match tonight have been asked not to cheer on Arsenal because of Martin Odegaard. Not sure if that’s true or not but I can’t imagine Bodo fans cheering on the opposition rather than their own team. Stranger things have happened I suppose.
Like Bodo/Glimt losing a European football fixture on their own turf.
See you in the comments.
Good morning Rico,
My forecast for this evening, wind light easterly, 3c, 50% chance of rain. Cheers for now, off shopping.
Morning Rico and all
Should be a good match, Lets, hope our players pick the correct footwear for the surface as it could become very slippery.
Cicero If it’s going to be that cold lets, hope the benched players have hot water bottles or electric heater.
Morning Cicero, Geoff.
I looked at the forecast, it’s similar to here apparently.
Thanks for that Rico, liked Arteta’s pre-match presser, batting away concerns over the pitch, weather, the economy, just focusing on the game and winning it is the way to go because the players can ignore the noise and just do their job.
14 wins on the spin is some record but it’s gotta end and this evening is as good a time as any. COYG
Me too Kev, plus his response to the Auba chat.
I have long commented that this game was not going to be a doddle and nothing has happened to change my mind. I have always seen these as being a danger , they are good on their own patch and will not be easily pushed aside.
Arteta has to pick the right team as it’s likely to be closer to an extended 5 a side match , we will need good possession and lots of running on and off the ball . I reckon a draw would turn out to be a good result.
Yep, we might have won at home 3-0 but, Bodo seemed better than the scoreline suggests. Wouldn’t be surprised to see a slightly stronger team than the one last week.
Yes Rico, we might see close to full strength team to just sew up qualification. Good practice for next season when we’re in the Champions League and playing strong XI’s almost every game.
Tricky one isn’t it Kev but thankfully, not our decision to make. Lol
Would be great to have the option of playing a few of the younger guys in the last couple of fixtures though.
Absolutely Rico, that’s when Arteta can give way to the more adventurous side of his nature. 😉
Arsenal: Turner, White, Saliba, Holding, Tierney, Sambi, Odegaard, Nelson, Saka, Vieira, Nketiah
Subs: Ramsdale, Hein, Partey, Gabriel, Martinelli, Cedric, Tomiyasu, Marquinhos, Xhaka, Edwards, Smith, Ibrahim
Ha ha Kev, does he have one? Lol
Turner White Holding, Salina, Tierney Odegaard Lokonga Vieria, Saka Nketiah Nelson.
Saliba that is.
Only Jesus and Zinchenko are missing from the usual squad, there are a few subs that I don’t recognise.
You beat me to it Kev. 😉
Evening Rico and the House
This is the game I have waited 6 Years for
That is to see Nelson and Nketiah starting a game for the first team
and playing in their best position. Come on boys make a old man happy
Bradley Ibrahim on the bench Rick, long term successor to Partey perhaps?
Cicero I’ve always been quick on the draw.
Rico I bet that Arteta, on his day, is a devil may care kinda chap, he just hides it very well.
COYG
Evening Rick. Great to see eh, hope they do well.
🤣 Kev, I bet he knows how to let his hair down…
so far so good . keep it tight and dont let them get any momentum
I fear one of their through balls catching us out…
Excellent result.
very bitty game on a pitch that did no favours . It was almost as though we didnt want to take risks and they did not believe that they could win it . Having said that we could have drawn but didnt .
One nil to The Arsenal, now where have I heard that before. 😉
Horrible pitch, ugly win, no injuries, I’ll take that, onto Elland Road
No Rico, his hair is a thing of art. 😄
Next up in this one is PSV who have drawn at home to Bodo and stuffed Zurich 10 goals to one over 2 matches which either makes them good or Zurich plain rubbish . Then again we got a 2-1 win at their place so where does that leave us.
Still Leeds first , one at a time as the saying goes . Hopefully there will be a bit more cohesion in the way we play and not just rely on Jesus ,Saka and Martinelli to get us the points.
Just watched highlights on Arsenal site, a good win but looking at the highlights we looked very lucky to get the win
Geoff, I don’t think we were lucky to win, I think we played to Arteta’s plan. Get a goal and sit on it. Which is pretty much what we did. We restricted Bodo to just six shots at goal, only one of which was on target. By playing a possession game we took the sting out of the match and largely dominated without taking risks or having to expend too much energy.
It may not have been the most exciting or entertaining game but we got the job done and that’s what mattered.
I expect to see a more dynamic game against Leeds on Sunday.
I hope you’re not affected by the floods being reported in parts of Australia after the very heavy rainfall.
Cicero, I fine My Mum and Dad are about 10 minutes’ drive from the nearest floods in Maribyrnong but lucky on high ground.
Some people may recognize the name Maribyrnong or the Maribyrnong River as it runs straight pass the Flemington Racecourse which is only 5 minutes away. (Where they hold the horserace in November The Melbourne Cup.)
I’m glad we won the match easier than the highlights show. but more importantly it sounds like we suffered no injuries on the false grass.
It certainly is Kev, no gel required…
Morning all.
New post up now