Ostersunds FK vs Arsenal, Europa League live: Team news and goal updates
Follow minute-by-minute coverage of Arsenal's match in Sweden
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Arsenal are preparing for their Europa League Round of 32 first-leg clash with Ostersunds FK tonight, hoping that the competition will provide them with a welcome route back into the Champions League next season.
The Gunners look set to miss out on the top four for the second season running following last weekend’s disappointing defeat in the North London Derby but the bookies make Arsenal big favourites for their first-leg against their Swedish opposition despite their very poor away form, having lost each of the last four games on their travels.Nevertheless, the Gunners cruised through the group stages of the competition to set up the favourable draw against the Swedish minnows and have performed generally well in Europe so far so they will have their sights firmly set on killing the tie as soon as possible.
But the Swedish side who were only founded 21 years ago will be hoping to spring a major shock, led by the sole British manager in the Europa League, Graham Potter, who took over at the helm in 2010. He has since guided Ostersunds FK from the Swedish 4th tier to the heady heights of Europa League football and will be hoping that the miracle continues in this historic clash.
Follow all of the live action below!
What time does it start?
Ostersunds FK vs Arsenal kicks off at 6pm.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on BT Sport 3 from 5.30pm. Highlights will be shown at 10.15pm on BT Sport 2.
It’s a big game for…
Danny Welbeck: The Arsenal forward has been plagued by injury during his Arsenal career but is ironically the only fit and available first team striker for the Gunners tonight.
Alexandre Lacazette has a knee injury, Olivier Giroud has been sold and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang is cup-tied in the Europa League, much to Arsene Wenger’s frustration.
Arsene Wenger has criticised Uefa’s rule which leaves Arsenal‘s £56m January signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ineligible to play in their Europa League round-of-32 first leg against Ostersunds FK on Thursday evening, and the rest of the competition, despite the striker having not played in it this season.
So the pressure falls upon the shoulders of the former Manchester United forward who has five goals to his name so far this season.
Best stat
18: It is 18 years since Arsenal last took part in this competition having qualified from the group stages of the Champions League for 17 seasons running prior.
In the 1999-00 season though, the Gunners progressed to the Uefa Cup final where they were beaten by Galatasaray in a penalty-shoot out.
They will be hoping to go one better, this time around.
Player to watch…
Alhaji Gero: The Nigerian forward has scored two goals in Ostersunds memorable Europa League campaign thus far, helping them qualify for this stage for the first time in their history.
He will be looking to take on his fellow countryman in the shape of Alex Iwobi in pursuit of springing one of the biggest shocks in the competition.
Gero to be the hero?
Form guide…
Ostersunds FK: WDWLDW
Arsenal: LWLWWL
Odds…
Ostersunds FK to win: 7/1
Arsenal to win: 21/50
Draw: 18/5
Ostersunds 0-0 Arsenal
1: We're off. Spanish referee David Fernandez Borbalan gives his signal and Ostersunds kick off.
Ostersunds 0-0 Arsenal
2: The home side have barely had a touch on the ball since kicking off. Arsenal are enjoying plenty of possession on this artificial pitch.
Ostersunds 0-0 Arsenal
3: Arsenal force a mistake and think they win a corner but the ball hits the corner flag and stays in, which is always slightly amusing. Ostersunds like to play out from the back but they just cannot keep possession. Mesut Ozil is popping up in some nice positions on the edge of the box but the home side are so deep, he is struggling to find a pass through them.
Ostersunds 0-0 Arsenal
6: Saman Ghoddos breaks forward and Shkodran Mustafi appears to foul him on the halfway line but the referee curiously gives the Gunners a free kick. Ghoddos showed some great pace on the break there, something Arsenal may need to keep an eye on.
Ostersunds 0-0 Arsenal
7: Arsenal twice go close with Danny Welbeck. First, he weaves his way though several challenges and gets behind the back four but cannot shoot. Then, Mohamed Elneny clips a ball towards the English forward who heads wide from close range.
Ostersunds 0-0 Arsenal
10: Mesut Ozil waits and waits to find the killer pass then fires the ball to Henrikh Mkhitaryan inside the box. He takes a touch but is quickly dispossessed and Arsenal recycle possession.
Ostersunds 0-1 Arsenal
12: A mistake at the back gifts Mesut Ozil a chance to square the ball to Henrikh Mkhitaryan and score but his effort is cleared.
Arsenal come back at them and from a corner, Nacho Monreal is alive in the box when the goalkeeper, Aly Keita, palms Ainsley Maitland-Niles' shot back into the six yard box. The full back is quickest to react and he taps in another goal.
Ostersunds 0-1 Arsenal
18: The home side have had less than 20 per cent possession so far. This game was billed as David vs Goliath and it is certainly proving that.
Ostersunds 0-1 Arsenal
Robbie Savage on BT Sport is less than impressed with Ostersund's efforts so far. "It looks like it's damage limitation in the first leg. It's like 'We still want to be in the tie in the second leg.'"
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