As rain began to fall like mist over this striking, unforgiving corner of Norway, the noise above the Arctic Circle went up another notch.
They bounced on all four sides of this stadium. They twirled their scarves from apartments rising over the artificial pitch. They watched from atop a spiral staircase, a lonely glint of yellow with only an umbrella to stave off the biting cold.
There are more inviting places to play football. More pleasant ways to spend a Thursday night. Just ask Roma and Jose Mourinho, who came here last year and were knocked for six. Or any of Bodo/Glimt’s past 14 European visitors, all of whom left with nothing.
Bukayo Saka’s first half goal gave Arsenal an important 1-0 win over Bodo/Glimt
The home side had good chances, including one that was hit over the bar by Amahl Pellegrino
Martin Odegaard was somewhat anonymous on his return to football in Norway
So Arsenal deserve credit for ending that run. It wasn’t convincing or particularly impressive. The second half, in particular, was a slog. But, frankly, who cares? Mikel Arteta’s side are now on the cusp of qualification, courtesy of a goal off Bukayo Saka’s lips, which failed to silence this place but kept up Arsenal’s fine start to the season and their 100 per cent start in the Europa League.
Nearly a fifth of this fishing town’s 50,000-odd inhabitants came down for what manager Kjetil Knutsen suggested was the biggest game in the club’s history. And the Norwegian champions ensured this was a far tougher night than last week, when Arsenal cruised to victory at the Emirates.
They had more of the chances, certainly the clearer ones. But Arsenal took theirs and that will do for Arteta as they head back towards warmer climes.
‘We are really happy to win here,’ Arteta said. ‘The boys deserve credit for the way they tried. Quality-wise there are obviously a lot of things we can do better but it is another win.’
The result marks a first loss for Bodo/Glimt after 14 straight home wins in Europe
Arsenal are in the midst of a punishing run towards the World Cup and this was another night to stress test their squad’s resolve. Given the conditions, the travel, the artificial pitch, Arteta had plenty of excuses to avoid unnecessary risks. And yet, William Saliba, Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Saka all started, four days after a draining victory over Liverpool.
‘If we got an injury here for sure we would have said we shouldn’t have risked them, but they had to play,’ Arteta said. So yes, he was flirting with fate, but the Arsenal boss also knew a win here would make life easier down the line. And he knew wins here don’t come easily.
Not since Barcelona won 15 on the spin up to March 2017 had any team put together such a formidable home European record. One glance around this 8,270-capacity stadium told you why. By the time the teams emerged, the heat had been turned up by flames, fireworks and a stadium announcer moonlighting as a lead singer.
Matt Turner swept behind the defence well but was beaten from time to time
Smoke and swelling confidence filled the dark skies. The roof almost flew skyward too, a few minutes in, after Amahl Pellegrino’s low cross narrowly evaded Ola Solbakken at the back post. That would have made things very interesting.
As it was, Arsenal soon gained a foothold and they took the lead midway through the half, after Saka’s effort towards the far post was deflected back on to the Arsenal winger before floating in.
‘I think it came off my lips! It’s a nice one,’ Saka said. That gave the Arsenal supporters, snuggled into one exposed corner, reason to shake off some of the Nordic chill.
The Gunners will qualify for the Europa League knockout rounds if they beat PSV next week
Glimt ought to have levelled shortly after, when Rob Holding failed to deal with a long ball, and Pellegrino raced in on goal. Alas, the winger could only spoon his shot into another postcode. An error by Albert Sambi Lokonga gifted Pellegrino another chance not long after the break. This time he had support and this time he found the target. Matt Turner got down smartly to save but the goalkeeper was then beaten twice in no time.
First Solbakken cut inside and fired inches over from the edge of the box. Then Runar Espejord sent a half-volley just off-target from eight yards out. Arsenal seemed to be teetering, this place was bouncing, and so Arteta sent on more of the cavalry.
They weathered the storm, meaning victory over PSV next week will take them out of Group A. That should be a more pleasant evening’s work.
