(Football news) Arsenal maintained their 100% start in the UEFA Europa League with a 1-0 win over Bodo/Glimt at the Aspmyra Stadion in Northern Norway. The Gunners found the back of the net in their only chance on target of the match, with Bukayo Saka scoring with his lips unknowingly. The hosts should have equalised in both halves, with Amahl Pellegrino and Runar Espejord squandering multiple opportunities in front of a sell-out crowd. The result means that Arsenal remain at the top of their Europa League group with nine points and a point against PSV Eindhoven in their next match will be enough to seal a place in the knockout round.

Bodo/Glimt have 14 consecutive European victories in their home ground and Arsenal struggled to adapt to the artificial turf and the eight-degree chill. The Gunners’ first real attempt before the opening goal came from Albert Sambi Lokonga, who failed to hit the target from the edge of the box. The Gunners then took the lead when Lokonga fed Saka from the right flank and while the attempt was blocked by the defender, the deflection struck Saka on the face and went into the back of the net. The 21 year old had the opportunity to score a second when he received a pass from Martin Odegaard but his shot flew past the near post. 

Bodo/Glimt had an attempt of their own before half-time as Ola Solbakken flicked on a long ball and played Pellegrino clean through on goal but the 32 year old positioned himself incorrectly and could not capitalise on the glorious opportunity. Pellegrino was played through once again down the left after a poor pass from Lokonga but his shot was parried by Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner. The best chance of the second half came to Bodo left winger Espejord who caught Hugo Vetlesen's lay-off inside the box, pretty much summing up the home side's failure to be clinical in front of goal.

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