Prediction: Arsenal vs Bodo/Glimt

Verdict: Arsenal to score in both halves

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

Turning their attention back to Europa League duties on Thursday night, Arsenal will welcome Bodo/Glimt to the Emirates.

Arsenal

Starting with the hosts, marking their return from the international break with another stellar display at the Emirates, Arsenal are in the midst of what has been a real purple patch. Eventually claiming north London bragging rights as they picked up a 3-1 victory at home against bitter rivals Tottenham, Mikel Arteta’s young squad have only continued to gain a string of plaudits. Still holding a one-point buffer at the top of the Premier League table, some have even tipped the Gunners to mount a genuine title charge this season. With it looking like the mood in their camp is at the highest it has been in recent memory, the former Manchester City coach will be calling on his side to keep up that momentum here. Winning seven of their opening eight domestic contests, Arsenal also opened their Europa League adventure on September 8th with a 2-1 victory away at Zurich.

Team News

Looking to claim back-to-back Europa League victories on Thursday night, Arteta could be tempted to make a string of changes here.

Impressing in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory away at Zurich last month and finding the net on his debut, 19-year-old Marquinhos should feature here. Arteta could also hand a full return to the likes of Kieran Tierney, Eddie Nketiah, Fabio Vieira and Rob Holding.

Bodo/Glimt

As for the visitors, also making their return from September’s international break with a thumping display, Bodo/Glimt will now be hoping to find some stability. Breezing their way to a routine 4-1 romp away at Lillestrøm last weekend, that was just the third victory that the Norwegian outfit had managed to collect from any of their previous nine matchups across all formats. However, last seen on Europa League duties picking up their own 2-1 win at home against Zurich last month, Kjetil Knutsen’s men still have their sights firmly set on clinching a knockout stage spot. Nevertheless, knowing that they face a huge task when they travel to north London on Thursday night, it should be highlighted that Bodo/Glimt have shown some extended issues at the back. Including a 4-1 drumming at home against Molde on September 3rd, the Yellows have kept a clean sheet in just two of their last 12 appearances.

Team News

While Sondre Fet might have returned to training following a knee injury, the 25-year-old is not expected to feature on Thursday night.

Bagging what turned out to be the winner against Zurich last month and also finding the net against Lillestrøm over the weekend, Hugo Vetlesen should spearhead Bodo/Glimt’s attack here.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including a 3-1 victory against Tottenham last weekend, Arsenal have won eight of their opening nine matchups across all competitions.
• Continuing on from last season, Thursday’s hosts have won each of their previous seven appearances at the Emirates.
• Bodo/Glimt have managed to win just a trio of their last nine matchups across all formats – a run that stems back to August 16th.
• Likewise, the defending Norwegian champions have also recorded just a pair of clean sheets from any of their last 12 appearances.
• Arsenal have scored 11 goals in their opening four Premier League contests on home soil since opening the 2022/23 campaign.

Conclusion

Storming their way to north London bragging rights last weekend as they picked up a thumping 3-1 win against Tottenham, Arsenal are riding what has been a remarkable purple patch. Flying out of the traps since opening the 2022/23 campaign, Thursday’s hosts have now won eight of their first nine matchups across all formats. With some around north London believing that the Gunners could make real history this season, Arteta’s youngsters will be looking to lay down a European marker here. While Bodo/Glimt might have marked their own return from the international break with a 4-1 victory away at Lillestrøm, the reigning Norwegian champions have largely struggled with their stability. Winning just a trio of their last nine showdowns across all competitions, Arsenal are rightfully tipped as a landslide pick here.

Verdict: Arsenal to score in both halves

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet