Arsenal have been playing with a real swagger domestically this season though a much-changed Gunners XI is expected to feature against Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League this evening. Can the in-form Londoners produce the goods with a shuffled pack?
We’ve put together a stats pack for this evening’s fixture below, which is bubbling over with info on shots, corners, assists, shots on target, cards and more. We think you should find the data useful when piecing together your bet builders for the game. Best of luck!
Predicted Lineups
Mikel Arteta is expected to ring the changes this evening with a tough Premier League test against Liverpool on the horizon.
Matthew Turner could start in goal, while Rob Holding, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira and Eddie Nketiah will all hope to see minutes.
Sondre Fet is listed as Bodo/Glimt’s only injury concern at present and Head Coach Kjetil Knudsen has virtually a full complement of players to choose from.
The Norwegians set up in a 4-3-3 formation when they beat Zurich on matchday two, so expect to see them deployed in a similar shape at The Emirates Stadium.
Team Stats
Arsenal’s victory over Tottenham in the North London Derby was the latest in a string of impressive Premier League performances from the Gunners this season and the team’s underlying stats reflect just how effective they’ve been.
Arteta’s charges have been hitting 2.50 goals and 17.37 shots p/90, while their xG (2.19 p/90) also has a healthy look.
Bodo/Glimt are already 24 matches into their campaign in Norway and while their hopes of catching leaders Molde have been virtually extinguished, their stats from the Eliteserien season make for eye-catching reading.
Bodo/Glimt have been hitting 18.79 shots and 6.21 shots on target per 90 minutes and they managed to muster 28 attempts over their two Europa League group matches against PSV and Zurich.
Player Shots and Shots on Target
With Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka expected to be handed watching briefs this evening, Eddie Nketiah (2.55 SOT per 90) and Gabriel Martinelli (1.30) should take centre stage in attack.
Martinelli racked up five attempts in his solitary UEL appearance this term, while Nketiah lodged three shots in his only runout in the competition so far (both against Zurich). Midfielder Fabio Vieira also managed to get a shot away in Switzerland last month.
Amahl Pellegrino (3.69 shots p/90), Runar Espejord (2.91) and Joel Mugisha Mvuka (1.34) could all start in attack for Bodo/Glimt at The Emirates Stadium and all three players have carried significant threat domestically this term.
Attacking midfielder Hugo Vetlesen (1.23 SOT p/90) can be dangerous from deep, though he might struggle to get forward this evening with Arsenal likely to dominate.
Player Goals and Assists
Some big names are certain to be kept in reserve by Arsenal this evening, though Gabriel Martinelli could get the nod on the left again with options there thin on the ground. The Brazilian has four Premier League goal contributions this season, though his compatriot Marquinhos scored Arsenal’s opener at Zurich last month.
Eddie Nketiah grabbed the other goal in Switzerland and the 23-year-old tends to perform well in the Europa League, where has notched four times during his career.
Amahl Pellegrino has scored a staggering 20 times in just 21 Eliteserien fixtures this term, though he has yet to get off the mark in Europe. 22-year-old Hugo Vetlesen has however, and the youngster found the net against Zurich to complement his nine-goal haul in Norway.
Ulrik Saltnes (7 assists) has been a key creative force in the Norwegian league, though he has yet to set up a goal on the continent.
Arsenal Cards
Granit Xhaka has been making headlines for his goals and assists this season, though the hard-hitting midfielder has already accumulated two bookings in the Premier League and the 30-year-old won’t keep his tackles light this evening.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (3.33 fouls p/90) has lost his place at Arsenal this term to Ben White and the Japanese international will be keen to impress with some challenges against Bodo/Glimt. Gabriel Martinelli (1.56 fouls per 90) is fond of a nibble or two when fulfilling his defensive responsibilities.
Hugo Vetlesen (fouled 1.32 times p/90) catches the eye with his bursts from midfield and his advances forward should be watched closely this evening, especially when he drifts near Granit Xhaka.
Flying full-back Alfons Sampsted (fouled 1.42 times p/90) will have Martinelli in his path if he gets the chance to maraud forward, while top-scorer Pellegrino faces a physical battle against Tomiyasu, whose desperation to impress could produce a wayward tackle or two.
Match-Ups to watch
Granit Xhaka vs Hugo Vetlesen
Gabriel Martinelli vs Alfons Sampsted
Takehiro Tomiyasu vs Amahl Pellegrino
Bodo/Glimt Cards
Brice Wembangomo (3 cards) is a no-nonsense centre-half and the 25-year-old has been showing no mercy to attackers in Norway this season. The defender has also been committing two fouls per game in the Europa League.
Wembangomo’s central defensive partner, Marius Hoibraten, has also collected three cautions for his mistimed challenges, while Patrick Berg is worth keeping an eye on in midfield. He doesn’t register on our list of Eliteserien stats, though he has already been booked once in two Europa League appearances.
Eddie Nketiah has played just 98 minutes of Premier League football so his fouled per 90 figures should be taken with a mouthful of salt. However, the 23-year-old will likely have to digest some tackles from the aggressive Brice Wembangomo this evening.
Gabriel Martinelli (fouled 2.34 times p/90) has been drawing unwanted attention from Premier League defenders this season and the winger was fouled three times in his solitary UEL run out against Zurich last month. When Martinelli cuts inside this evening, Marius Hoibraten will be waiting to stop him in his tracks.
In midfield, Albert Lokonga (fouled 2.73 p/90) should be in the thick of the action again and his duels with Patrick Berg could have the potential to produce cards.
Match-Ups to watch
Brice Wembangomo vs Eddie Nketiah
Marius Hoibraten vs Gabriel Martinelli
Patrick Berg vs Albert Lokonga
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This could be an interesting one if Arsenal are to make a number of changes. Underestimating Bodo/Glimt could be a dangerous game, as the Norwegian outfit are certainly capable of scoring goals. Either way, I hope you’ve enjoyed the read and found the stats pack useful.
Good luck if you’re having a bet tonight but please Gamble Responsibly. Keep the stakes low and stay in control.
