How Arsenal could line up against Bodo/Glimt in Europa League with Arteta giving first-team stars a rest
ARSENAL resume their Europa League campaign tonight by welcoming Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt to North London.
Mikel Arteta’s men haven’t played in Europe since the 2-1 matchday one victory over FC Zurich, after their clash with PSV was postponed last time out.
With games coming thick and fast in October, Arteta is set to shuffle his side in a bid to keep everyone fresh.
Speaking ahead of the match, the Spaniard admitted that rotation will be important, saying: “That’s what we have to try and do.
“The best way to do that is how we prepare every single day, keep focused on the task and on everything that we’re doing well, and keep being humble.
“There are a lot of things that we still need to improve and keep that willingness every time to become better every single day and to raise the competition between the members of the squad, because now everyone wants to play the game tomorrow.”
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Aaron Ramsdale is set to be rested, with American deputy Matt Turner to come in for his competitive home debut.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is likely to return at right-back, having been ousted in league matches by Ben White – while Cedric Soares has been carrying a knock.
Rob Holding could come in for a rare start at centre-back with William Saliba given the night off – and he may be partnered by either Gabriel or White.
Kieran Tierney can count himself unlucky to have been dropped for Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back and will play with a point to prove.
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Albert Sambi Lokonga could start in place of Thomas Partey, with the Ghanaian having only returned from injury against Tottenham on Saturday.
With Mohamed Elneny missing with a thigh issue, Sambi may be partnered by first-team regular Granit Xhaka – with the Swiss likely to take the captain’s armband.
Regular skipper Martin Odegaard will know all about Bodo/Glimt as a Norwegian, but could be given the night off with Fabio Vieira awarded an opportunity to shine in attacking midfield.
Marquinhos’ inclusion on the right wing would afford Bukayo Saka a rare rest – while forgotten man Reiss Nelson could grab an opportunity on the left flank in place of Gabriel Martinelli.
On the homegrown winger, Arteta said: “After the spell that he had last year on loan, we wanted him back to see if there are any changes and there’s a prospect that we can really take to the next level.
“We think the potential is there and we think we’ve seen something in Reiss that is special.
“He’s been a part of our academy system and now he’s going to have an opportunity.
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“He’s been out for almost three months with an injury, he’s back now, he’s fully fit and he’s ready to play. He just needs minutes now.”
Eddie Nketiah is likely to come in up front in place of the in-form Gabriel Jesus – although Emile Smith Rowe remains a long-term absentee.
