Arsenal got their European campaign back underway after a brief hiatus with a 3-0 win over Bodo/Glimt. Goals from Eddie Nketiah, Rob Holding and Fabio Vieira secured the three points on the night as the Gunners dominated the game from start to finish.
A much-changed Arsenal team faced the Norwegian side with Mikel Arteta making eight changes. The Europa League was always going to be an opportunity for some of the fringe players to make their case and whilst some flourished, others faltered.
Arteta now needs to make the tricky decision of who plays against Liverpool. football.london takes a look at those who have won the night and the others who have come out at a bit of a loss.
READ MORE: Why Arteta got angry at Marquinhos as Saka and Saliba respond to Arsenal fans amid contract talk
Winners
Fabio Vieira
Another start, another goal for Fabio Vieira. Add an assist for Rob Holding alongside it and the Portuguese international has had yet another brilliant performance.
Mikel Arteta was not entirely pleased with his display, demanding more from the 22-year-old to press and track back after losing the ball in midfield. However, Vieira’s goal contributions are sure to have pleased the Spaniard more than anything.
Mikel Arteta
Arteta himself was a winner in this game. Bodo/Glimt presented a difficult challenge considering they had already taken points from an impressive PSV side that beat FC Zurich 4-0.
However, despite this, Arteta was able to rotate eight players who will likely start this weekend against Liverpool and bring off Kieran Tierney, Gabriel Martinelli and Granit Xhaka. Furthermore, there were no injury issues to speak of which is itself a victory.
Reiss Nelson
After having very little opportunity in an Arsenal shirt, Reiss Nelson was given the chance to come off the bench in last night’s game. Last season’s Feyenoord loanee looked spritely and energetic.
Bursting down the left flank on multiple occasions and taking on the opposition full-back. Although it was roughly a ten-minute cameo, it bodes well for potential depth in the team if he can level up his promising display into some goal contributions.
Losers
Marquinhos
Bursting onto the scene in Switzerland, Marquinhos was not able to imprint his stamp on the game quite like his last outing. He struggled to get in behind on the right and his crosses failed to meet their target.
Furthermore, Arteta was seen frustratedly shouting at the Brazilian when he failed to support Vieira in a movement on the right-hand side. He was substituted early in the second half and will hope to have another chance to flourish in the away fixture next week.
Cedric Soares
Despite returning from injury, Arteta opted not to use Cedric Soares. football.london understands that the Portuguese player is determined to make Arteta’s team selection as difficult as possible.
However, without minutes on the field he is completely helpless in this endeavour. It was Ben White who was brought off the bench in the second half, seeing Takehiro Tomiyasu switch to left-back to replace the substituted Tierney.
Catalin Cirjan and Matt Smith
The 3-0 win over Brentford saw 15-year-old Ethan Nwaneri given an opportunity to make his debut from the bench. However, despite the scoreline being the same here, youngsters Matt Smith and Catalin Cirjan were not given the same benefit.
Arteta said afterward that he wanted to make sure some players got time on the field ahead of the Liverpool game. Hence Saka, Jesus, White and Odegaard’s introductions.
“Well because some of them they haven’t played many minutes and we could sense they were getting tired,” Arteta said. “There were also players that needed minutes without overloading them for Sunday and I think it worked pretty well.”
The wait continues for more under-21 players. Smith in particular for context has featured on Arteta’s bench numerous times including as far back as the 2020 FA Cup final.
READ NEXT:
Arsenal handed huge £120m financial boost as details of new £600m Adidas deal emerges
Arsenal line-ups vs FK Bodo/Glimt as Tomiyasu is handed new role, Xhaka decision, Nelson starts
Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli new Arsenal contract stance explained
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Saka's Arsenal contract, Saliba's future and Nelson's chance
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
