3 Bodo/Glimt players that Arsenal must be wary of on Thursday

Bodo/Glimt’s rise to the apex of Norwegian football has been nothing short of miraculous.

They’d struggled for relevancy for much of their history, and had been relegated twice from the Eliteserien in the decade prior to Kjetil Knutsen’s promotion from assistant to head coach in 2018.

Knutsen’s culture shift facilitated an immediate – and drastic – improvement and after a second-place league finish in 2019, Bodo/Glimt lifted their first Eliteserien title in 2020 – doing so with a record points tally (81 from a possible 90 available) and remarkable scoring record (103 goals in 30 games). For many, that side is the greatest ever assembled in Norwegian football history.

They impressively retained the title in 2021, albeit in a less mesmeric fashion, but the butchering of their squad ahead of the 2022 campaign meant the current season was always going to be tough. Thus, Molde look poised to reclaim the Eliteserien crown with six games remaining but Bodo/Glimt have started their Europa League campaign impressively.

A well-earned point was earned at PSV on Matchday 1 before they beat FC Zurich 2-1 last time out. With Arsenal only playing once in Group A, the Norwegian side sit top of the group heading into Thursday’s almighty test.

Knutsen’s side have stunned a giant before in AS Roma – inflicting the heaviest defeat of Jose Mourinho’s career last October – but this Arsenal side are a different beast given the confidence that’s currently emanating from Mikel Arteta’s squad.

3 Bodo/Glimt players that Arsenal must be wary of on Thursday

Nevertheless, Thursday’s visitors have enough talent at their disposal to trouble the Gunners at the Emirates. Here are three Bodo/Glimt players that Arsenal must be wary of in their upcoming matchup.

1. Hugo Vetlesen

Knutsen has exclusively deployed a 4-3-3 since taking over as manager and Vetlesen typically operates as one of the eights in the midfield three.

The Norway Under-21 international is one of the most exciting and talented players in the Bodo/Glimt squad. Vetlesen played a key role in his side’s 2021 title triumph as he notched 12 goal contributions in 27 league games and his impressive form – which was on display throughout Bodo/Glimt’s journey to the Europa Conference League quarter-finals last season – has carried over into 2022.

The young playmaker has registered 19 league goal contributions this time around and is proving himself to be the heartbeat of Knutsen’s high-octane side.

Vetlesen’s a talent that could earn a move to one of Europe’s bigger domestic leagues in the near future.

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