Bodo/Glimt vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League result and final score as Gunners hang on after Bukayo Saka goal

Arsenal continued their perfect Europa League record as Mikel Arteta’s side held on to claim a narrow win at the Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt thanks to Bukayo Saka’s first-half goal.

Bodo/Glimt had won all 14 European home games in a row but Saka gave Arsenal the perfect start when he exchanged a one-two with Albert Sambi Lokonga, before the ball deflected off the attacker and into the net.

The hosts had their moments in the first half but it wasn’t until after the break that the Norwegian side really threatened Arsenal. Ola Solbakken went close before Runar Espejord wasted a great chance on the hour mark.

But Arsenal successfully weathered the storm to make it three wins out of three in Group A, continuing their excellent form ahead of Sunday’s trip to Southampton in the Premier League. Catch up with how Arsenal maintained their winning run before coverage continues with Manchester United vs Omonia Nicosia:

Bodo/Glimt vs Arsenal

• GOAL! 24’ - Saka gives Arsenal the lead (BOD 0-1 ARS)

• FT! Arsenal hang on to make it three wins from three in Europe

FK Bodø / Glimt 0 - 1 Arsenal FC

FT Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

19:40 , Michael Jones

Bodo/Glimt’s 14 game unbeaten run at home in Europe comes to an end as the Gunners squeeze past them 1-0 thanks to Bukayo Saka’s winning goal in the first half.

Full-time: Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

19:36 , Michael Jones

90+3 mins: Three points for Arsenal! They remain top of Group A with two clashes against PSV Eindhoven and another battle with FC Zurich.

As it stands the Gunners have a five-point lead over PSV but they face Zurich later tonight. Mikel Arteta’s side continue to go from strength to strength.

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

19:33 , Michael Jones

90 mins: Three minutes of added time to play. Bodo/Glimt are still dominating possession but aren’t causing many problems for Arsenal.

It’s been a professional performance from them as they’ve been asked to defend for quite a while now.

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

19:30 , Michael Jones

87 mins: Arteta’s changes seem to have strengthen Arsenal’s defensive capabilites and the home team are finding it more difficult to play between the lines now.

Just a few minutes left to play in Norway and it seems as though the Gunners have got this one sown up.

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

19:26 , Michael Jones

84 mins: Berg whips a corner over to the edge of the box but doesn’t find a team mate. Bodo/Glimt recycle it back over to him on the right wing and his ball into the box is cleared by Thomas Partey who’s come on in place of Sambi Lokonga.

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

19:25 , Michael Jones

81 mins: Into the fina 10 minutes now ans it’s Bodo/Glimt who are forcing the issue by knocking the ball around the edge of the Arsenal penalty area. Gronbaek works it over to the left side where a deflection almost puts it out of play.

Tomiyasu keeps it alive but knocks it back to the home side who send a cross into the middle. The bal seemingly hits Lokonga and there’s a shout for handball but nothing comes from it.

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

19:23 , Michael Jones

78 mins: The hosts make a change in attack as Runar Espejord is replaced by Lars-Jorgen Salvesen. The supporters are giving their all to keep their side going.

They’re chanting, singing and generally having a blast.

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

19:17 , Michael Jones

75 mins: Tierney curls a pass into Martinelli who tries to flick back to Xhaka but gives away the ball. Bodo/Glimt work the ball up to Vetlesen who is brought down by Holding making a tackle from behind.

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

19:13 , Michael Jones

72 mins: Another couple of changes from Mikel Arteta as Martin Odegaard and Ben White go off to be replaced by Marquinhos and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Inside the last 20 minutes and Arsenal still look vulnerable when the home side get in behind the lines.

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

19:12 , Michael Jones

69 mins: Hugo Vetlesen pulls back Eddie Nketiah and earns himself a yellow card.

From the free kick Gabriel Martinelli finds Martin Odegaard who takes the ball to the byline and fizzes an effort into the near post where it gets claimed by goalkeeper Nikita Haikin.

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

19:08 , Michael Jones

66 mins: Pellegrino curls a cross into the box and Vetlesen lets it run through to Solbakken. He tries to get it under control by chesting the ball down but there a too many Arsenal defenders around him and they hoof the ball clear.

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

19:04 , Michael Jones

63 mins: Mikel Arteta thinks so too and he makes a couple of changes. Reiss Nelson and Bukayo Saka are hooked with Gabriel Martinelli and Granit Xhaka brought on.

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

19:01 , Michael Jones

60 mins: Chance! This move deserved a goal as a long diagonal comes into the box and gets chested down by Hugo Vetlesen who perfectly sets up Runar Espejord for a first time effort that he drills over the top.

These are nervous times for Arsenal.

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

18:59 , Michael Jones

57 mins: Close! The home side are getting closer. Ola Solbakken receives the ball on the right wing and drives it up to the box. The Gunners’ defenders drop away from him and he cuts onto his left foot before lacing a nice strike just a few inches over the crossbar!

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

18:55 , Michael Jones

54 mins: Save! Pellegrino is fed into space on the left side as Arsenal let their intensity levels drop. The forward carries the ball into the box but doesn’t look up and spot Solbakken at the back post waving his arms.

Instead he goes it alone and side-foots a decent effort over to the far corner but Matt Turner dives low and keeps it out with a strong hand!

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

18:53 , Michael Jones

51 mins: Arsenal look to slowly build out from the back with Saliba squaring the ball over to Rob Holding who fails to control it properly and lets the ball roll out of play for a Bodo/Glimt throw in.

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

18:50 , Michael Jones

48 mins: Shot! Arsenal sweep up the pitch with Nketiah laying the ball off to Odegaard who sends it over to Nelson on the left side. He cuts into the middle and hopes to curl a shot towards the far corner but spoons his effort well wide of the target.

Second half: Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

18:49 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Arsenal get the match in Norway back underway. It’s so far, so good for the Gunners and they’ll want another goal or two to comfortable claim all three points.

Man Utd vs Omonia line-ups

18:47 , Michael Jones

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Malacia, Casemiro, Fred, Antony, Fernandes, Rashford, Ronaldo

Omonia XI: Vzoho, Matthews, Long, Miletic, Yuste, Kitsos, Panagiotou, Cassama, Charalampous, Bruno, Kakoulli

Man Utd vs Omonia

18:42 , Michael Jones

Coming up at the conclusion of this game Manchester United take on Omonia Nicosia at Old Trafford.

United needed that win against Omonia last week and three points are a must again tonight if they are to keep the pressure on Group E leaders Real Sociedad.

HT Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

18:36 , Michael Jones

Arsenal lead 1-0 at half-time in Norway. Can they close out this game and remain top of Group A?

Half-time: Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

18:32 , Michael Jones

45+1 mins: Arsenal take a slender lead into the break but they will be happy with that. Bodo/Glimt have had a couple of opportunities to make the Gunners nervous but for the most part the visitors have controlled the game.

Bukayo Saka’s goal is the difference at the break in Norway.

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

18:31 , Michael Jones

42 mins: Another moment of danger cut out by the Arsenal goalkeeper as Runar Espejord chases a clearance and gets in-between two defenders.

Matt Turner sprints off his line, comes out of the box and clears the ball back up the pitch.

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

18:26 , Michael Jones

39 mins: Close! Bodo/Glimt recover the ball high up the pitch and give it to Hugo Vetlesen on the edge of the box.

He flicks one over the top and slides in Runar Espejord who stretches to poke the ball past Matt Turner but just misses the ball and the Arsenal goalkeeper scoops it up safely.

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

18:24 , Michael Jones

36 mins: Grobaek and Berg try to link-up on the edge of the Arsenal box but there’s no way through the solid lines that the Gunners have out of possession.

This is a nice period of possession for the home side though.

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

18:19 , Michael Jones

33 mins: Bukayo Saka collects a yellow card after a barney with Amahl Pellegrino which gets the home crowd worked up. Alfons Sampsted then knocks the ball behind for a Gunners corner and Reiss Nelson’s cross is easily dealt with.

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

18:16 , Michael Jones

30 mins: Chance! Rob Holding climbs over Runar Espejord as a long ball comes up the pitch and flies over his head dropping into the path fo Amahl Pellegrino.

He carries the ball into the area then curls a right-footed effort well wide of the far post! The striker needs to do better there.

Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal

18:14 , Michael Jones

27 mins: The Gunners look to add a quick fire second to their tally as Saka swings a corner ball into the box. The initial cross it headed away but the visitors knock it to Tierney who floats another aerial pass into the penalty area.

Solbakken jumps highest this time and manages to work the ball clear.

GOAL! Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Arsenal (Saka, 24’)⚽️

18:11 , Michael Jones

24 mins: Arsenal lead!

Bukayo Saka brings the ball down the right wing and cuts it inside to Eddie Nketiah for a one-two as he continues into the box. The winger is tackled but the ball bounces up and hits him in the chest before bounding past Nikita Haikin and finishing in the back of the net.

Bodo/Glimt 0-0 Arsenal

18:10 , Michael Jones

21 mins: Arsenal beat the press nicely with Saliba and Turner doing good work deep in Arsenal half. They squeeze it up to Saka who feeds the ball across to Odegaard.

The Arsenal captain rolls the ball on to Tierney who laces one down the wing of Nelson to run into space.

Bodo/Glimt 0-0 Arsenal

18:06 , Michael Jones

18 mins: Arsenal are being patient with Bodo/Glimt sitting quite deep off the ball. There have been a couple of near-misses but no real chances yet.

Ola Solbakken runs into space on the right side of Arsenal’s final third and sends a pass across the box but it is easily cleared by William Saliba.

Bodo/Glimt 0-0 Arsenal

18:03 , Michael Jones

15 mins: Nearly! Arsenal are growing in confidence when they have the ball and are working it in between the lines through narrow gaps between Bodo/Glimt’s players.

Lokonga attempts to do something similar after spinning towards goal with the ball and he threads a pass into the box only for Eddie Nketiah’s run to get blocked off.

Bodo/Glimt 0-0 Arsenal

17:58 , Michael Jones

12 mins: Bodo/Glimt are forced into an early change as Ilrik Saltnes has to go off. He’s aggravated a pre-existing injury and gets replaced with Albert Gronbaek.

That’s a blow for the home side.

Bodo/Glimt 0-0 Arsenal

17:57 , Michael Jones

9 mins: Brice Wembangomo fouls Bukayo Saka on the right wing and gives Arsenal a free kick. They take it quickly and work it over to the opposite wing.

Tierney can’t find a way down the line and guides a pass back to Saliba who floats one back over to Saka. Saka combines with Odegaard to get the ball into the penalty area but he pulls it back to Sambi Lokonga who scuffs an effort wide of goal.

Bodo/Glimt 0-0 Arsenal

17:53 , Michael Jones

6 mins: Chance! A lovely pass down the left wing comes to Amahl Pellegrino who eaves his way into the box and sends one across the six-yard area.

There are three of his team mates up with him but Arsenal manage to scramble the ball clear.

Bodo/Glimt 0-0 Arsenal

17:49 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Close! Bukayo Saka is played in behind with a chipped pass over the top from Ben White. Bodo/Glimt’s goalkeeper, Nikita Haikin, decides to sprint off his line but Saka beats him to the ball and flicks a pass into the six-yard area.

Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah try to get on the end of the pass but neither Arsenal man can turn the ball towards goal and the whistle goes for a free kick to the home team.

Kick off: Bodo/Glimt 0-0 Arsenal

17:47 , Michael Jones

The home side get the match underway anf Arsenal look to press high up the pitch. They win a throw in and send it to Rob Holding who works it across the Gunners’ back line.

Arsenal content just to keep possession and play themselves into the game.

Bodo/Glimt vs Arsenal

17:44 , Michael Jones

Here come the teams!

Arsenal have every reason to be confident of picking up a win tonight but Jose Mourinho’s Roma came here last season and lost 6-1. The Gunners won’t underestimate their opponents as much tonight and will look to start well on this artificial pitch.

‘It is the biggest match we’ll play'

17:40 , Michael Jones

Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen spoke of what he’s expecting from Arsenal in the build up to this evening’s game and says this match will be one of the biggest matches his team have ever played.

“It is perhaps the biggest match we’ll play,” he said. “At least it is against the best opponent. Not necessarily because they have better individual players than Roma, but there is something about the professionalism and history of the club. All the games in Europe are fantastic for me.

“We will see how much you can learn in a week and get an answer to that tomorrow. What matters is that we dare to be the best version of ourselves. Then we’ll see if we learn along the way, and then at least I’ll be satisfied.”

Bodo/Glimt vs Arsenal

17:36 , Michael Jones

Arsenal are unbeaten away to Norwegian teams in Europe with two wins and one draw. Most recently the defeated Molde 3-0 in the 2020/21 edition of the Europa League with goals from Nicolas Pepe, Reiss Nelson and Folarin Balogun.

Bodo/Glimt vs Arsenal

17:31 , Michael Jones

The Gunners have won six of their seven previous encounters against Norwegian opponents, with their only failure to record a victory coming in a 1-1 Champions League group stage draw against Rosenborg in September 2004.

Five in a row?

17:27 , Michael Jones

If Eddie Nketiah scores tonight for Arsenal he will become the first Englishman to score in five starts in a row in the Europa League.

Bodo/Glimt vs Arsenal

17:22 , Michael Jones

Arsenal have lost just one of their last 14 away games in the Europa League with 10 wins and three draws during that run.

Mikel Arteta backs Arsenal’s Ben White to make England’s World Cup squad

17:17 , Michael Jones

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has backed Ben White to force himself into England’s World Cup squad.

The defender was a surprise omission from Gareth Southgate’s 28-man group for the Nations League games with Italy and Germany last month after a strong start to the new campaign.

It was a blow to the 24-year-old’s hopes of being selected for the winter tournament in Qatar but his cause was inadvertently helped this week when Kyle Walker sustained a groin injury which required surgery.

Walker’s versatility has been referenced as crucial by Southgate, who has used the Manchester City player both as a right-sided centre-back and full-back.

White has been a regular for Arsenal at right-back this season and his club manager feels his adaptability could aid his hopes of forcing his way into the Three Lions set-up again.

Mikel Arteta backs Arsenal’s Ben White to make England’s World Cup squad

Bodo/Glimt’s home record

17:12 , Michael Jones

Bodo/Glimt have won each of their last 14 matches in Uefa competition at home, scoring an impressive 42 goals and conceding just five in that time.

Arteta’s pre-match thoughts

17:06 , Michael Jones

Mikel Arteta says that Arsenal are focused on winning this evening’s match and is determined to take things game-by-game as the Gunners look to continue their fantastic start to the season.

"What we think about is how we are going to win the game," he said. "That’s it. How we win every three days, in different conditions, in different contexts, in different weather, in different competitions, and that’s the only way we are approaching it.

"A player can get injured on an artificial pitch, he can get injured in a training session.

"Obviously, we do what we have to do to protect the players as much as we can, but at the end of the day, for sure we are going to have 11 players on the pitch."

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli earn frenetic Arsenal win over Liverpool

17:00 , Michael Jones

You might call it flawed perfection, at least one side. Arsenal stay top of the league as well on a winning streak at home, but only after one of those games that was only enriched by error after error. Some might include the referee and Jurgen Klopp’s tactical decisions. What was beyond doubt was that Mikel Arteta’s side ultimately made far fewer mistakes than Liverpool – and generally looked a much better side – to fully deserve a rollocking 3-2 win. It means that Arsenal can continue to believe they will challenge for a title, with eight wins from nine and this – at least notionally – the biggest victory yet.

There’s just now the question over whether a win over Liverpool means the same, because Klopp has to face up to whether there is more wrong with this side than the formation or form. For Liverpool, far from flawed perfection, it’s a perfect storm of problems. Something feels broken, disconnected, and the most galling thing is the questions that will inevitably come over Klopp’s responses – whether he even knows how to respond.

His approach has served to completely neutralise their most potent attack in Mohamed Salah, who was then taken off in a decision that seemed inevitable rather than any way surprising. Behind him, Trent Alexander-Arnold had another poor defensive performance, albeit one accompanied by the explanation that he was actually injured. He also went off.

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli earn frenetic Arsenal win over Liverpool

Bodo/Glimt vs Arsenal

16:56 , Michael Jones

After losing in London in the reverse fixture last time out, Bodo/Glimt could lose consecutive games in a single season in major European competition for the first time since September 1996 in the Uefa Cup, both against Trabzonspor.

Arsenal arrive at the ground

16:50 , Michael Jones

Kick off is just under an hour away and the Gunners have arrived at the Aspmyra Stadion.

Odegaard on returning to Norway

16:44 , Michael Jones

Martin Odegaard will captain Arsenal tonight as he returns to his home country with his club side.

He spoke about what it feels like to return home and said: “It’s cool to come to Norway with Arsenal and play in the Europa League here. It’s awesome.

“I have noticed it’s getting a lot of attention in Norway, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Gabriel Martinelli sends message to Arsenal teammates after Liverpool win

16:38 , Michael Jones

Gabriel Martinelli wants Arsenal to remain grounded after they returned to the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Liverpool.

Bukayo Saka scored the winner from the penalty spot to send the Gunners back to the summit, with Sunday’s opponents now trailing 14 points behind having pushed Manchester City all the way for the title last term.

Arsenal have enjoyed an impressive start to the season – having lost just one game against Manchester United – and are being spoken about as contenders, but Martinelli, who fired Arsenal into an early lead against Liverpool, has urged caution.

“I think we need to keep our feet on the floor and go game by game and try to win all of them,” the Brazilian told the club’s website.

Gabriel Martinelli sends message to Arsenal teammates after Liverpool win

Bodo/Glimt vs Arsenal team changes

16:32 , Michael Jones

There are just two changes from the home side to the team that lined-up at the Emirates last Thursday. Brede Moe and Joel Mvuka are taken out with Ola Solbakken and Marius Hoibraten brought in.

Mikel Arteta meanwhile makes five changes to the Arsenal team that played in the reverse fixture and seven from the side that beat Liverpool at the weekend.

Martin Odegaard returns to captain the side and their are starts for Kieran Tierney, Eddie Nketiah, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Fabio Vieira.

Bodo/Glimt vs Arsenal line-ups

16:26 , Michael Jones

Bodo/Glimt XI: Haikin, Sampsted, Lode, Hoibraten, Wembangomo, Vetlesen, Berg, Saltnes, Solbakken, Espejord, Pellegrino

Arsenal XI: Turner, White, Holding, Saliba, Tierney, Lokonga, Vieira, Odegaard, Saka, Nelson, Nketiah

Tonight’s venue

16:24 , Michael Jones

Bodo/Glimt play at the Aspmyra Stadion, which holds 8,270 spectators but the Norwegian club are hoping to build a new 10,000-seater stadium to mark Glimt being named European Capital of Culture for 2024, with the aim of making it the most sustainable stadium in the world.

The club’s supporters are known to bring a giant yellow toothbrush to their games, a tradition that started after the item was used by fans to conduct singing in the stands and for many years visiting teams have received a yellow toothbrush ahead of matches.

No Jesus for Arsenal

16:18 , Michael Jones

Arsenal have left Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus out of their squad for tonight’s Europa League game at Bodo/Glimt. He suffered a head injury in the Gunners’ 3-2 win over Liverpool on Sunday but the omission is to give the striker time to rest up.

The 25-year-old has played all 11 games for the Gunners this season, scoring five goals and registering five assists.

"We felt that with everything he’s been through in the last few weeks that it would be better for him to stay at home," said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

Mikel Arteta responds to criticism from former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

16:12 , Michael Jones

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hit back at criticism from former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - insisting his current squad is more “hard-working” than in previous years.

Aubamayang left the Emirates Stadium for Barcelona in February, his contract torn up having not been in and around the first-team after Arteta dropped his then-skipper for returning late from an agreed break.

His stint in Spain lasted just seven months before he returned to the Premier League with Chelsea and a video emerged in recent days of the Gabon forward slating Arteta’s management skills.

“To manage big characters or big players, he (Arteta) can’t deal with it,” Aubameyang was recorded as saying in an interview with A Jewellers.

“He (Arteta) needs some young players, they don’t say anything, they listen.”

Mikel Arteta responds to criticism from former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Early team news and predicted line-ups

16:06 , Michael Jones

Kjetil Knutsen has few major injury concerns, though the Bodo/Glimt manager is still likely to be without Sondre Fet and Gaute Hoberg Vetti. Four second-half goals enabled the Norwegian side to overcome Sandefjord in their weekend league business, and striker Runar Espejord could return to the starting side.

Promising performances from Rob Holding, Eddie Nketiah and several other fringe first-teamers helped Arsenal to a comfortable win last week and there seems little doubt that Mikel Arteta will select a broadly similar side. Mohamed Elneny and Emile Smith Rowe remain unavailable for selection due to injury, but Oleksandr Zinchenko is also a doubt after missing the Liverpool win with a muscular problem.

Predicted line-ups

Bodo/Glimt XI: Haikin; Sampsted, Moe, Lode, Wembangomo; Vetlesen, Berg, Saltnes; Mvuka, Espejord, Pellegrino

Arsenal XI: Turner; Cedric, Holding, Tomiyasu, Tierney; Xhaka, Lokonga; Marquinhos, Vieira, Nelson; Nketiah

Bodo/Glimt vs Arsenal

16:00 , Michael Jones

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Europa League clashes.

Arsenal and Manchester United are in action with the Gunners looking to continue their winning streak that sees them top Group A whilst United are hoping to stay in touch with Real Sociedad in Group E.

Arsenal face Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the 5.45pm kick off and boss Mikel Arteta is expected to make a whole host of changes to the starting line-up. The Gunners won the reverse fixture 3-0 at the Emirates last week and will be hoping for a similar result tonight.

Following the conclusion of that game the focus will move over to Old Trafford where Manchester United welcome Omonia Nicosia. The visitors put up a tough fight in Cyprus last Thursday but United’s strength in depth shone through with Marcus Rashford coming off the bench to score twice and set up Anthony Martial in a 3-2 victory for the Red Devils. Manager Erik ten Hag will be want an easier time of things this evening.