Our 3️⃣ points as Arsenal stay perfect with Bodø/Glimt win | OneFootball

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Emily Wilson·6 October 2022

Our 3️⃣ points as Arsenal stay perfect with Bodø/Glimt win

Article image:Our 3️⃣ points as Arsenal stay perfect with Bodø/Glimt win

European action returned to the Emirates on Thursday as Arsenal beat Bodø/Glimt 3-0.

Here’s what we made of it.


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Nketiah continues to step up when asked

Article image:Our 3️⃣ points as Arsenal stay perfect with Bodø/Glimt win

Arsenal brought in Gabriel Jesus this summer to boost their attack but don’t forget about the talents of Eddie Nketiah.

The 23-year-old was named in the starting line-up having sat on the bench against Tottenham and made sure to reward his manager for giving him the nod.

Following Kieran Tierney’s thumping strike off the woodwork, Nketiah found himself in the right place at the right time and stayed calm, cool and collected to stab the ball for 1-0.

The speed at which it all went down could have seen the ball fly over the bar if he wasn’t careful.

He now has 25 goals in all competitions for Arsenal including 12 from his last 15 starts for the club.

He’ll be upset to not have secured a brace deep into the second half though as he skied his shot well over the bar, meaning there are still some things to work on.


Arteta tries his luck – and it pays off

Article image:Our 3️⃣ points as Arsenal stay perfect with Bodø/Glimt win

Arsenal named a heavily changed line-up heading into the clash (unsurprisingly) and the starting eleven did well to put the Gunners up by two within half an hour.

But manager Mikel Arteta then opted to bring on some big names in the second half which puzzled a few fans on social media as Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus came off the bench.

The changes allowed the hosts to test some new partnerships including a midfield duo of Ødegaard and Fabio Vieira for the first time and also play Jesus and Nketiah together up top (something the manager previously admitted he would love to try).

Overall, the tests worked out and there could subsequently be some changes in future line-ups as the club developed impressive new partnerships even if they were brief. Jesus’ assist to Vieira for the third goal is a brilliant indication of what could come.

With Liverpool up ahead on Sunday it might not have been the smartest decision from the boss so Arsenal will be glad to have avoided any major injuries to key players as well.


Poor stamina a cause for concern?

Article image:Our 3️⃣ points as Arsenal stay perfect with Bodø/Glimt win

After a blistering opening half it seemed as though Arsenal would be well on their way to a big victory in Europe at home. Two goals in 27 minutes will make you think that.

But the fans in attendance will have been disappointed by the second-half performance which saw the Gunners’ stamina slow right down.

Sure, the club was up and cruising, but there were some shaky moments for Arteta’s side and Bodø/Glimt could have easily made it a one-goal game without the efforts of Matt Turner in goal.

As the saying goes, a 2-0 lead can be the most deceiving in football and in situations like this you can’t afford to let your intensity die down no matter who your opponent is.

So even after the loss, Bodø/Glimt can now hold a little bit of hope for the away leg. They have experience beating some big names in Europe already (we’re looking at you Roma) so don’t count it out because they now know where to hit at Arsenal where it hurts.

And if any Premier League managers were watching, Arsenal’s potentially biggest weaknesses was on display.