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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Your support makes all the difference.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 0-2 Arsenal
Nacho Monreal celebrates scoring his third goal in his last six games in all competitions.
Ostersunds 0-2 Arsenal
Arsene Wenger certainly needed that coat and zip to work. It's -4 degrees in Ostersunds, if it gets to -15, the referee can call off the game. Not that it will but there's a fun fact for you to take away from this.
Ostersunds 0-2 Arsenal
The players are making their way back onto the pitch. I imagine halftime was spent getting those annoying black bits of rubber from the artificial surface out of the players boots. Anyway, follow all the live action from the second half right here.
Ostersunds 0-2 Arsenal
Jamie Hopcutt and Tesfaldet Tekie come on for the hosts in place of Brwa Nouri and Abdullahi Gero as we kick off the second half.
Ostersunds 0-2 Arsenal
47: Ainsley Maitland-Niles is playing in central midfield, apposed to his usual stints at wing back or out wide, and is looking really tidy. Granted he'll face bigger tests but he is coping really well. Cue inevitable calamity.
Ostersunds 0-2 Arsenal
50: Ostersunds win a corner which is headed clear and Arsenal break forward. Ainsley Maitland Niles charges forward but is dispossessed as he runs into traffic.
Ostersunds 0-2 Arsenal
55: Both sides exchange glimpses of attacking play but so far there's been little action in the second half. Mohamed Elneny goes closest to producing something exciting with a dangerous cross which forces Aly Keita to punch clear.
Ostersunds 0-3 Arsenal
58: Mesut Ozil collects the ball in a central area then plays it wide to Nacho Monreal. The full back returns the pass to the German who drifts into the penalty area, sets himself with a touch and then squeezes the ball under the goalkeeper to score Arsenal's third.
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