Bukayo Saka’s lucky objective maintained Arsenal’s 100 per cent Europa League group stage document with a 1-0 win at Bodo/Glimt, however the out-of-sorts Gunners had been fortunate to flee with victory in northern Norway.
Taking part in on a synthetic floor within the chilly surroundings of a fishing metropolis simply north of the Arctic Circle, Mikel Arteta’s facet largely struggled to vogue possibilities – however Saka headed the Gunners in entrance – with out realizing an excessive amount of about it – of their solely effort on course of the match.
Bodo might and may have equalised in each halves, with Amahl Pellegrino and Runar Espejord responsible of spurning a number of alternatives in entrance of a sell-out crowd for the minnows, however let Arteta’s Gunners off the hook.
The end result means Arsenal keep prime of their group on 9 factors and know victory at house to PSV Eindhoven subsequent week will seal their spot within the knockout levels.
How Arsenal edged previous Bodo
One other rotated Arsenal facet got here out to a raucous house crowd in an eight-degree chill, a temperature twice as chilly as London, and the guests struggled on the factitious floor.
The one actual effort on objective earlier than their opener got here via Albert Sambi Lokonga, who fired huge of objective from the sting of the world.
Arsenal’s opener ultimately did come as Lokonga fed Saka in the precise channel of the field – and whereas his first effort was blocked by a defender, the rebound bounced off his brow and deceived the Bodo goalkeeper by dropping into the online.
Saka ought to have doubled the benefit when Martin Odegaard, enjoying in his native Norway for the primary time since he was 15-years-old, fed the England winger within the field however he rushed his shot which flew previous the close to publish.
Saka’s scrappy end gave Arsenal the lead
Bodo offered a reminder of their menace earlier than the break as Ola Solbakken flicked on a protracted ball and performed Pellegrino clear via on objective.
The highest scorer in Norway’s prime flight left house followers aghast as he bought his bearings all unsuitable to place the easy probability excessive and huge – the striker spurning a chance to present the cussed Norwegian facet a deserved route again into the sport.
Bodo saved the strain on Arsenal all through the second half, with the Gunners failing to register a big probability on objective after half-time.
Pellegrino was performed via as soon as once more down the left after Lokonga’s poor cross in midfield and, whereas the Bodo ahead bought his shot on course, Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner parried his effort simply.
Bodo/Glimt spurned a number of gilt-edged possibilities in entrance of a sell-out crowd in northern Norway
Solbakken then curled simply over Turner’s bar after taking up Kieran Tierney down the Arsenal left – however the very best probability of the half fell to Espejord.
The Bodo left winger caught onto Hugo Vetlesen’s lay-off contained in the field however might solely fireplace over. His supervisor Kjetil Knutsen fell to his knees in despair, such was the importance of the prospect.
Arteta was pressured to deliver on the likes of Granit Xhaka, Gabriel Martinelli and Thomas Partey to realize extra management towards a rampant Bodo facet, and whereas the end result was achieved, it was executed with some battle.
What’s subsequent?
Arsenal return to Premier League motion on Sunday after they journey to Elland Street to face Leeds, with kick-off at 2pm.
The Gunners will then be again in Europa League motion on Thursday October 20 after they host PSV of their rearranged Group A match, with kick-off at 6pm.
Add Comment