Reiss Nelson and Cedric Soares will start for Arsenal when they take on Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.
Playing on an artificial pitch might seem like a chore for Arsenal fans, but progressing from the group as winners a win in Norway is imperative. The Gunners have a 100% record so far in the UEFA Europa League, which Mikel Arteta intends to continue against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday.
Arteta did not provide names of players injured and focused on the game ahead during the pre-match press conference. Besides questions about playing conditions, the media also touched upon Martin Odegaard and his role against Bodo/Glimt.
Arteta said, “Probably on the pitch at some stage! I don’t know; hopefully, he can have a good time, it’s obviously a really important moment for him, he loves coming to his country. You know how much it means to him, and it’s a good opportunity for him.”
Odegaard might play from the start, which could allow a much-needed rest for Granit Xhaka, who has started every game this season. The media then asked Arteta whether Kieran Tierney was unhappy he did not start against Liverpool.
Bodo/Glimt vs Arsenal Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
Arteta’s response suggested it was more of a tactical decision than anything. The Arsenal boss said, “Like any other player. We know that we make decisions always based on the best possible preparation to win the matches, and Kieran accepted that like any other player.”
On the injury front, there are no new names on the list. However, Gabriel Jesus missed training and did not travel with the squad to Norway, with Arteta looking to rest him. Other than that, Emile Smith Rowe and Mohamed Elneny are the other absentees.
Cedric Soares should begin the game at right-back. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Rob Holding could line up at the heart of the Arsenal defence. Such a change could allow Arteta to rest Gabriel Magalhaes for this encounter. Meanwhile, Tierney start as the left-back, with Oleksandr Zinchenko absent with a muscular problem.
There is hope that Xhaka could be rested, with Arteta fielding an attacking midfield setup. Albert Sambi Lokonga will replace Partey at the base of the Arsenal midfield. The Belgian midfielder should have Odegaard and Fabio Vieira on either side in the middle of the park.
Marquinhos is the likely starter on the right side of the Arsenal attack, with Eddie Nketiah leading the line. Reiss Nelson could start on the left against Bodo/Glimt, with Gabriel Martinelli getting some much-deserved rest.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Turner; Soares, Holding, Tomiyasu, Tierney; Vieira, Lokonga, Odegaard; Marquinhos, Nketiah, Nelson
