Arsenal maintained their perfect start in the UEFA Europa League group stages with a 3-0 victory over Bodo/Glimt on Thursday evening.
UEFA Europa League
Report: Arsenal 3-0 Bodo/Glimt
Date: 06 October 2022
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Only three players remained in the line-up for the Gunners from their win over Tottenham Hotspur, Gabriel, Granit Xhaka and Gabriel Martinelli, who spearheaded the attack alongside Eddie Nketiah.
The home side started on a high note as Fabio Vieira was one of the players who were kept at bay by goalkeeper Nikita Haikin, with his spectacular half-volley parried over the crossbar.
The speed of Arsenal's attacks were irresistible and Nketiah eventually broke the deadlock on 23 minutes with a sharp tap-in from a rebound after Kieran Tierney's cracking shot came off the far post.
Mikel Arteta's charges maintained the intensity of their attacks as Rob Holding doubled their lead five minutes later with a clinical downward header in the box after a cross by Vieira.
Arsenal threatened to put the game to bed ten minutes before the half-time break after Xhaka's dipping free-kick was superbly tipped over the crossbar by Haikin.
Bodo/Glimt raised their game in the second stanza as Hugo Vetlesen and Amahl Pellegrino had threatening shots at goal but goalkeeper Matt Turney was up to the task on both occasions.
With Arsenal struggling to regain their dominance going forward, Arteta made a triple attacking change shortly before hour-mark, as big hitters, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus were introduced.
However, the Norwegian outfit continued to pressurize the Gunners as Ulrik Saltnes came close to reducing the deficit in the last 18 minutes with a dipping strike that sailed slightly over the crossbar after he cut inside the box.
The hosts had breathing space in the closing stages and Viera eventually sealed the deal five minutes before time with a thumping strike into the roof of the net after some great work by Jesus, who crafted his way through on goal and played decisive cut-back.
Holding denied Saltnes a consolation goal for the visitors in stoppages with a clearance off the line, as the Gunners kept a clean sheet and moved to the top of Group A.
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