Our prediction for this Europa League match:
All eyes will be on Emirates Stadium when Arsenal and Bodo square off against each other in the Europa League round 3. The Gunners have one game in hand, but a win over Bodo will see them climb to top position in Group A. Since Arsenal impressed in a 3-1 win over their bitter rivals Tottenham at the weekend, home win should definitely be considered. All Vieira, Tierney, Nketiah, and Lokonga should be recalled to the starting XI, as well as Tomiyasu and Holding.
The visitors, on the other hand, proved their worth in a 4-1 crushing of Lillestrom where key player Amahl Pellegrino once again got his name on the scoresheet. The Norwegian champions, though, will have a much bigger fish to fry against Mikel Arteta’s troops, who are a real force to be reckoned with at home. Sondre Fet should miss out with injury for the visiting team.
Highlighted Player (Granit Xhaka):
Granit Xhaka is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most talented central midfielders at the moment and he is on the radar of quite a few high-profile sides. Just two seasons at FC Basel proved enough to attract interest from Borussia M’gladbach, who secured his signature in the summer of 2012.
The Switzerland international had a slow start to his career in Germany, causing many pundits to start doubting his credentials, but he eventually turn things around to show he is more than capable of playing at the highest level. Acting as a deep-lying playmaker, Xhaka impressed fans and pundits alike with his performances in Bundesliga and European competitions, and he even managed to score a couple of important goals in the process.
Despite his fragile age, the highly regarded footballer has been a key member of the Switzerland national team for quite some time now, scoring 6 goals in his first 40 caps to establish himself as a real leader of the Rossocrociati. The 2014 World Cup, where he scored one goal in four starts, should prove just the first of many major tournaments to come.
Highlighted Team (Arsenal):
Arsenal are regarded as one of the best English teams. The Gunners have won 12 FA Cup trophies, 13 league titles and two League Cups, but they have yet to lift the Champions League trophy. Arsene Wenger’s team were on the verge of beating Barcelona in the Champions League final back in 2006, but they eventually failed to win the prestigious title.
Arsenal used to play their homes at Highbury, but in 2006 they moved to the Emirates Stadium. The capacity of the stadium is 60,260. The Gunners won their last Premier League trophy back in 2004, with the capital club going through the season without a single loss. The likes of Thierry Henry, Denis Bergkamp and Robert Pires were part of the team back then, but Arsenal have not won the league trophy ever since.
Arsenal was founded by Woolwich munitions workers as Dial Square back in 1886. It is well known that Tottenham Hotspur are Arsenal’s fiercest rivals and there have always been fireworks when the two local rivals meet in the North London derby.