Ostersunds FK vs Arsenal, Europa League live: Team news and goal updates

Follow minute-by-minute coverage of Arsenal's match in Sweden

Nacho Monreal celebrates his opening goal (Getty)

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.

Arsenal need Welbeck to impress (Getty)

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

Key Points

• 6pm kick-off
• Ostersunds FK: Keita, Mukiibi, Papagiannopoulos, Pettersson, Widgren, Edwards, Mensah, Nouri, Sema, Ghoddos, Abdullahi Gero
• Subs: Tekie, Bergqvist, Hopcutt, Aiesh, Andersson, Sonko Sundberg, Islamovic
• Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerín, Chambers, Mustafi, Monreal, Elneny, Maitland-Niles, Özil, Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Welbeck
• Subs: Holding, Xhaka, Kolasinac, Macey, Nelson, Nketiah, Willock

[15 February 2018 19:50 · Jack Watson]

Ostersunds 0-3 Arsenal

90: Penalty to Ostersunds! Hector Bellerin brings down Tesfaldet Tekie in the area. It's clumsy and a certain penalty. 

[15 February 2018 19:50 · Jack Watson]

Ostersunds 0-3 Arsenal

90+1: SAVED! That's a huge shame for the hosts. David Ospina guesses correctly and saves Tom Pettersson's effort just to his right. 

[15 February 2018 19:52 · Jack Watson]

Ostersunds 0-3 Arsenal

Full Time

[15 February 2018 19:56 · Jack Watson]

Ostersunds 0-3 Arsenal

Arsenal started brightly and took advantage of a nervous home side who sat back and allowed their superior opponents to dictate play. Ostersunds were two goals down in the 25th minute when a Nacho Monreal and an own goal put the Gunners in control. 

Ostersunds eventually started to play their way into the game but after the break Mesut Ozil added a third after a nice spell of play. The Swedish side had the chance to add a late consolation goal from the spot after Hector Bellerin conceded a penalty. Up stepped Tom Pettersson and his tame effort to David Ospina's right was easily saved.

It's very much advantage Arsene Wenger and Arsenal ahead of next week's second leg where a similar scoreline is very much expected. 

[15 February 2018 20:03 · Jack Watson]

Ostersunds 0-3 Arsenal

Danny Welbeck tells BT Sport Arsenal were professional and dealt with the 3G pitch well. 

"The pitch was a bit hard but we knew it was going to be a bit difficult. We had to keep our cool and show our patience, a lot of times we could have played the ball forward quicker but it was a professional performance.

"I felt fine, the pitch was just a bit hard and I'm looking forward to getting more minutes under my belt." 

[15 February 2018 20:05 · Jack Watson]

Ostersunds 0-3 Arsenal

That's all folks! Arsenal, barring a complete disaster, are through to the last 16 of the Europa League after a professional job in Sweden. 

Make sure you come back this weekend for more live coverage, this time of the FA Cup.