Arsenal is the team to beat in the English Premier League this season. The Gunners are sitting atop the EPL standings, having only tasted defeat once so far this season. Victory in the North London derby this past weekend only solidified Arsenalโs 2022-23 credentials.
Arsenal now switches its focus to continental competition, in the Europa League. Mikel Artetaโs side is playing catch up in this cup after their matchday two fixture against PSV Eindhoven was postponed because of the death of Queen Elizabeth II last month.
The Gunners will fully expect to qualify for the knockout phase of the Europa League. In order to do so, they must take care of their Norwegian opposition this week.
If Arsenalโs season continues on its current trajectory, this might be their last opportunity to ultimately lift the Europa League trophy for a while.
Arsenal vs Bodo Glimt FYIs
Kick-Off: Thurs. Oct 6, 2022, at 8 pm UK at Emirates Stadium
Competition: UEL Group A, Matchday 3 of 6
Arsenal Starting XI Predictions: Go Here
After Extra Time Podcast:ย Spotify ย ย ย Apple
Google Result Probability: Arsenal 69%ย Bodo Glimt 12%ย Draw 19%
UCL Group Standings:ย Arsenal:ย 2nd, 3pts ย Bodo Glimt: 1st, pts
Team News
The Gunners have a few injury concerns. Here is the latest news on the players who have an injury cloud hanging over their heads.
Mohamed Elneny
Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny is still recovering from a serious hamstring injury that he suffered at the end of August.
Unfortunately for Arsenal and Elneny, he is unlikely to see any action until 2023.
Emile Smith-Rowe
Young English attacker Smith-Rowe recently underwent surgery to correct a groin injury that has been bothering him for months. We do not expect him back into first-team training until after the World Cup in Qatar.
Cedric Soares
Cedric Soares canโt catch a break. The Portuguese fullback was on his way back from a knock sustained in training, when he then picked up another. Soares is facing a race against time to prove his fitness and be available for this match.
A more likely scenario is that he is available for The Gunnersโ next Europa League match, against FC Zurich.
Stueyโs Two Cents
Arsenal will consider themselves favorites for this clash, and rightly so. The English side should really have no problems against the Eliteserien side who currently sits second.
Gunners fans wonโt need us to remind them, however, that Arsenal can serve up a stinker on the continent. Theyโll look to avoid that at all costs, having built up so much momentum in the Premier League.
Stuart Kavanagh is a journalist currently residing in Broken Hill, Australia. He writes for the Barrier Truth newspaper, along with being the owner of the sports and entertainment website thepyrrhic.com, He co-hosts the โAfter Extra Timeโ podcast and contributes at edgeofthecrowd.com when time permits. He is also the Media & Communications Director at the Newosis Mental Health Foundation. You can find more about what the Newosis Mental Health Foundation is about here.
Football mad, he is always down for debate and discussion at @stueyissickofit on Twitter.
