ARSENAL eased past Bodo/Glimt 3-0 to go top of Europa League Group A on Thursday evening.

It proved to be a comfortable night on the pitch against the Norwegians from the Arctic Circle, as Mikel Arteta’s side made it four successive wins in all competitions. 

Despite eight changes from the side that swept Spurs aside in the the North London derby, the Gunners dominated from start to finish. First half goals from Eddie Nketiah and Rob Holding put the home side firmly in the driving seat, prior to Fabio Vieira sweeping home the third to seal the game late on.  

With the eagerly awaited Premier League clash against Liverpool on Sunday, it was somewhat of a surprise on the hour mark to see Arteta bring on the daunting triumvirate of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard. 

It would have been interesting to note the thoughts of the redoubtable but under strain Bodo/Glimt back line at that precise moment. Glimt means Lighting but the only bolt came from Jesus, whose superb close footwork and mesmerisingly magical technical ability prompted a magnificent run along the line to illuminate proceedings that had gone slightly flat. The ball was squared to Vieira, who made no mistake, firing high into the net past keeper Nikita Haikin.

Speaking after the match, Arteta said: “Every game is difficult to win. I’m really happy with the result and clean sheet but I’m conscious we can do much better.”

The soundtrack to the match came from the tremendous backing from the 3,000 vociferous visitors – known as Den Gule Horde – the Yellow Horde, whose support never wavered from start to finish. 

While Molde are set to lift this season’s Eliteserien to deny Bodo a hat trick of titles, the club from the far north of Norway are making waves in European football, not least when reaching last season’s quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League, beating Jose Mourinho’s eventual winners Roma, 6-1 along the way. 

No wonder, when the Morning Star asked their highly rated boss Kjetil Knutsen if their fans were always so as loud and passionate, he replied: “Always,” adding, “We have the best fans in Norway.” 

An enticing trip to Norway awaits next week for the return fixture, but first for Arsenal, Liverpool at Ashburton Grove on Sunday. 

While the games are coming thick and fast in October, the in-form Gunners are relishing the challenge.