Does Arsenal also dominate on artificial turf in Norway?
A number of battles have been fought on the hallowed artificial turf at FK Bodö/Glimt’s Aspmyra Stadium in recent months. Among others, the Norwegian top club could defeat Roma (2x), AZ Alkmaar or Celtic Glasgow in front of their home crowd last season. They also won their only home match in this year’s Europa League group stage.
But with the current leaders of the English Premier League, a completely different calibre awaits the yellow-and-blacks, who could even overtake their upcoming opponents in the Group A standings in the event of a surprise treble – temporarily, that is. Such a scenario is not particularly likely, however, as the odds between Bodö/Glimt and Arsenal are clearly in favour of the visitors.
This one-sided assessment by the bookmakers tested is certainly also due to the impressions from the first leg last week. Coach Mikel Arteta’s team dominated the action at will and ultimately landed a commanding 3-0 victory. Although the Londoners should be warned given the unfamiliar pitch conditions, there is much to suggest that a prediction on the favourites will also come true on Thursday evening between Bodö/Glimt and Arsenal.
Bodö/Glimt – Statistics & current form
Last season Bodö/Glimt made a name for themselves all over Europe. The Norwegian champions sensationally made it to the quarter-finals of the Conference League, where they were only narrowly beaten by eventual champions AS Roma after a first leg and a second leg. The guarantee for their success at international level was definitely their home strength, which we already touched on briefly in the introduction.
Because many visiting teams had problems with the unfamiliar artificial turf surface, the Scandinavians ploughed through the competition with six wins from six home matches. In the current season, the yellow-and-blacks have seamlessly continued their outstanding pre-season results at home in the Aspmyra Stadium. Including qualification, all five home games were won. Season and competition-wide, the team of long-time coach Kjetil Knutsen thus stands at eleven European home victories in a row.
Is Arsenal too big to handle?
It would be reasonable to assume that this remarkable series will continue, but between Bodö/Glimt and Arsenal we are refraining from betting on a surprise coup for the home side. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that the Gunners will be the first real yardstick in the north of Norway in the 2022/23 season. Another reason is the subjective impression that Knutsen’s team is not as strong as it was last season.
This thesis can be substantiated by the fact that the Yellow and Blacks are only second in the Eliteserien, a full 15 points behind Molde, and can therefore forget about defending their title. Also, the serious inferiority in the previous week in the English capital prompts us to leave the odds on the hosts in the duel Bodö/Glimt vs Arsenal to the left.
Predicted line-up of Bodö/Glimt:
Haikin; Sampsted, Moe, Lode, Wembangomo; Vetlesen, Berg, Saltnes; Mvuka, Espejord, Pellegrino
Last games from Bodö/Glimt:
Europa League Grp. A
13/10/2022 – Bodö/Glimt 0 – 1 FC Arsenal
Elite Series
09/10/2022 – Bodö/Glimt 4 – 1 Sandefjord
Europa League Grp. A
07/10/2022 – Arsenal FC 3 – 0 Bodö/Glimt
Eliteserien
01/10/2022 – Lilleström 1 – 4 Bodö/Glimt
18/09/2022 – Bodö/Glimt 1 – 1 FK Haugesund
Arsenal – Statistics & current form
Things are going like clockwork for Arsenal FC at the moment. After the 3-2 statement win against Liverpool, the capitals still lead the table at the Premier League with eight wins from nine games ahead of Manchester City. The Gunners have also made a perfect start in the Europa League with six points from two matches. The home match against PSV from Eindhoven had to be postponed due to the death of the Queen and will finally be made up next week.
Despite the game being on the backburner, Arteta’s side are also top of the European table and well on course to go straight into the last 16 in first place. Arsenal now have five consecutive wins in the competition. Three of these victories have come with at least one goal conceded. However, the outstanding attack can at times somewhat mask the vulnerabilities or lack of concentration of the defence.
Will the Gunners deliver another spectacle?
Between Bodö/Glimt and Arsenal, it is definitely worth considering a prediction that there will once again be a lot of goals. In ten of the north Londoners’ eleven competitive games this season, a bet on the over 2.5 would have gone through. Four times even four or more goals were scored. Add to that the fact that traditionally more rather than fewer goals are scored on a tighter and, for many clubs, unfamiliar artificial pitch, and the over 3.5 could also become an exciting option on Thursday night.
It will also be interesting to see to what extent the Spanish coach will manage the pressure and rotate through. Already in the first two games, some players were used who rather belong to the second tier at league level. With a mixture of supplementary players as well as extremely talented youngsters, the Cannoniers will therefore tackle the task in Norway.
Nevertheless, there should be no lack of technical and tactical training and plenty of individual quality. Moreover, the young professionals in particular are eager to make the most of their opportunity. Should Arteta’s plan not work out, he still has the option of bringing in established and in-form players from the bench during the second half. Elneny, Smith Rowe and probably Zinchenko will not be available.
Predicted Arsenal line-up:
Turner; Cedric, Holding, Tomiyasu, Tierney; Xhaka, Lokonga; Marquinhos, Vieira, Nelson; Nketiah
Last matches played by Arsenal:
Europa League Grp. A
13/10/2022 – Bodö/Glimt 0 – 1 FC Arsenal
Premier League
09/10/2022 – Arsenal FC 3 – 2 Liverpool FC
Europa League Grp. A
07/10/2022 – Arsenal FC 3 – 0 Bodö/Glimt
Premier League
01/10/2022 – Arsenal FC 3 – 1 Tottenham
18/09/2022 – Brentford 0 – 3 Arsenal FC
Bodö/Glimt – Arsenal Direct comparison / H2H balance
The first leg a week ago was, of course, the first and so far only direct clash between these two teams at international level. Eddie Nketiah and Rob Holding put the Londoners ahead in the first half. Fabio Vieira added to the score just before the end to make it 3-0. It was Bodö/Glimt’s first ever meeting with a Premier League club. Arsenal, meanwhile, remained unbeaten in their seventh match against a club from Norway (six wins, one draw).
Bodö/Glimt – Arsenal Tip
The (still) reigning Norwegian champions are looking forward to welcoming the current leaders of the English Premier League at home on Thursday evening. For the visitors from London, it will be a special task in that many of the stars have probably not played a single professional game on artificial turf. That is exactly what will change at the Aspmyra Stadium.
Despite the Norwegians’ remarkable home strength, reflected in eleven consecutive home wins on the European stage, we believe the Gunners will determine how the encounter ends. Regardless of which players are ultimately on the pitch, the Arteta team has a higher individual quality and more technical class. So the artificial turf doesn’t even necessarily have to be a disadvantage for the Gunners.
Because the betting odds on the away win between Bodö/Glimt and Arsenal are not particularly high, we have decided to link the visitors’ treble with the Over 1.5. We think it is very likely that the spectators will see some goals. The English have already celebrated many successes including conceding goals, while the Norwegian backline is likely to reach its limits against the fast, tricky top players of the PL leaders anyway.
Therefore, in the Bodö/Glimt vs. Arsenal duel, we play the tip on “Win Arsenal & Over 1.5”
