Arsenal met Bodo/Glimt on matchday 4 of Group A of the 2022/2023 Europa League, Thursday (14/10/2022) night WIB. Manager Mikel Arteta made a massive rotation in the duel, but Martin Odegaard was still played as a starter.
Arsenal's match against Bodo/Glimt was held at the Aspmyra Stadium. Despite acting as a guest, Arsenal were able to get three points. Arsenal won with a score of 1-0 in the duel at the headquarters of Bodo / Glimt.
This result makes Arsenal now at the top of Group A. Arsenal have earned nine points from three matches played. Meanwhile, Bodo/Glimt are in third place with four points.
For Arsenal, three points from the headquarters of Bodo / Glimt has an important meaning. Because, their chances of qualifying for the Round of 16 are increasingly open. So, about injuries, what scares Mikel Arteta?
Arteta fielded a number of Arsenal players in the duel against Bodo/Glimt. This is not only a matter of player rotation, but also avoiding the possibility of key players being injured.
Arteta admits that he is worried that players will get injured when they meet Bodo/Glimt. Because, Aspmyra Stadium uses artificial grass.
"We have 16 players available. So we have to play with 11 and don't want the 11 to play for 90 minutes because I know what will happen in the next day or two," said Arteta.
"If there are injured players here, we will talk about how we can't take risks or risks with other players. In the end, they have to play," added Arteta.
Why Does Odegaard Keep Playing?
Mikel Arteta made a massive rotation against Bodo/Glimt. However, Arteta still played Martin Odegaard when Granit Xhaka, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Magalhaes sat on the bench.
"Verbally, Odegaard never asked me to play," said Arteta.
"But, from the way he prepared himself the last few days, he wanted to come and play. This is the role of all players. Many players, Reiss Nelson for example, he didn't play for three months and tried well," said Arteta.
