Arsenal vs Bodo/Glimt Match Analysis and Prediction

2 years ago 286

Arsenal will be looking for their second win from two matches in the 2022-23 Europa League when they host Norway’s Bodo/Glimt at the Emirates Stadium for Thursday’s Group A tie.

Mikel Arteta’s side opened their continental campaign with a 2-1 victory over FC Zurich, while their visitors have collected four points from their opening two matches to sit top of the section.

As the Gunners’ contest against FC Zurich on September 8 approached half time, news filtered through that Queen Elizabeth II has died, which led to the suspension of Arsenal’s encounter with PSV Eindhoven as security prioritised Her Majesty’s state funeral.

The extra rest has done Arsenal very little harm as they continue their early spate of dominance in the Premier League, and whispers of a title charge are starting to grow a little bit louder following their 3-1 North London derby victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

With no fewer that nine matches being played this month, the Gunners’ improving squad depth will come to the fore in domestic and continental action, and Arsenal welcome Bodo/Glimt to the Emirates having won each of their last seven competitive matches at home.

With group favourites Arsenal seeing their matchday two game rearranged, Bodo/Glimt took full advantage to rise to the top of the Group A standings through a 2-1 victory over FC Zurich on September 15, having drawn 1-1 with PSV on the opening matchday.

Bodo/Glimt have won just one of their 13 away matches in Europe and an unexpected victory over Arsenal would move them four points clear of the Premier League leaders at the top of Group A.

This contest will mark the first meeting between Arsenal and Bodo/Glimt in any competition, and the hosts remain unbeaten after six matches with Norwegian opposition, but the Gunners still need to have their wits about them here.

Arsenal vs Bodo/Glimt head to head

These two teams have not previously met in any competition and this will represent their inaugural meeting in the Europa League group stages.

Arsenal latest home form

Arsenal have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have won each of their 10 most recent matches. They managed to defeat Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 17 goals and conceded five.

Arsenal 6-0 Sevilla 30/07/22

Arsenal 4-2 Leicester City 13/08/22

Arsenal 2-1 Fulham 27/08/22

Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa 31/08/22

Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur 01/10/22

Arsenal latest away form

Arsenal have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their seven most recent matches. They managed to defeat Brentford 3-0 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 11 goals and conceded four.

Crystal Palace 0-2 Arsenal 05/08/22

AFC Bournemouth 0-3 Arsenal 20/08/22

Manchester United 3-1 Arsenal 04/09/22

Zurich 1-2 Arsenal 08/09/22

Brentford 0-3 Arsenal 18/09/22

Bodo/Glimt latest home form

Bodo/Glimt have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They played out a 1-1 draw with Haugesund in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded eight.

Bodo/Glimt 1-0 Dinamo Zagreb 16/08/22

Bodo/Glimt 2-2 HamKam 20/08/22

Bodo/Glimt 1-4 Molde 03/09/22

Bodo/Glimt 2-1 Zurich 15/09/22

Bodo/Glimt 1-1 Haugesund 18/09/22

Bodo/Glimt latest away form

Bodo/Glimt have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just two of their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Lillestrom 4-1 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 10 goals and conceded nine.

Dinamo Zagreb (E)4-1 Bodo/Glimt 24/08/22

Jerv 0-2 Bodo/Glimt 27/08/22

PSV 1-1 Bodo/Glimt 08/09/22

Tromso 3-2 Bodo/Glimt 11/09/22

Lillestrom 1-4 Bodo/Glimt 01/10/22

Arsenal news

Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe and Mohamed Eineny both remain out for the long-term due to groin and hamstring injuries respectively, while Cedric Soares has sustained a fresh knock.

Oleksandr Zinchenko, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard are set to drop out of the side given the contest against Liverpool coming at the weekend.

Bodo/Glimt news

Bodo/Glimt midfielder Sondre Fet will need a bit more time to fully recuperate from a knee injury, but Knutsen otherwise has a fully-fit squad for the trip to the Emirates.

Midfielder Hugo Vetlesen will expect to displace Albert Gronbaek in the starting lineup this week after scoring off the bench against Zurich.

Prediction and Odds

Bodo/Glimt certainly command a lot of respect having made waves in Europe over the past 12 months, and Arsenal will be well aware of that fact.

Mikel Arteta’s youthful attackers are always ready to seize their opportunity with both hands, and we can only envisage the Gunners prevailing at the Emirates.

Odds: 1 1.72 X 2.10 2 2.30