Arsenal have trained for the last time ahead of their first home match in the Europa League group stage this season. Mikel Arteta's side are set to face FK Bodo/Glimt with the hope of maintaining their momentum after a crucial victory against Tottenham in the North London Derby.
The Gunners are set to host their first Europa League tie of the season when they welcome the Norwegian side. Arteta will be hoping for better fortunes than the last European game Arsenal played at the Emirates Stadium, as the north Londoners were knocked out by Villareal in the Europa League semi-final during the 2020/2021 season.
Ahead of the game, football.london understands that Matt Smith, Zach Awe and Marquinhos were all involved in the training session held at London Colney on Wednesday afternoon. Marquinhos has already started in the Europa League this season, while Smith has been on the bench in the senior matches. Meanwhile, it looks as though Awe could be involved in the Europa League for the first time this season.
READ MORE: Jose Mourinho vindicates Edu's decisive £45m Arsenal decision that elevated Mikel Arteta rebuild
With Arsenal short in the midfield department following the injury suffered to Mohamed Elneny, it comes as no surprise that Smith was involved with the first-team in training. The young midfielder has already featured on the bench for the Gunners this season.
Despite Oleksandr Zinchenko starting at left-back in Arsenal's 3-1 victory over Spurs, he was absent from the training session on Wednesday. This could explain Arteta's decision to include Awe in first-team training ahead of FK Bodo/Glimt fixture.
Awe is naturally a centre-back, but with Zinchenko potentially missing Arteta could use Takehiro Tomiyasu as a left-back option and that opens a space in the middle of defence for the youngster to slot in. Awe has featured in seven Premier League under 21 games for the Gunners this season and has played in two EFL trophy matches.
Arsenal’s summer signing Marquinhos had a standout performance as he scored and assisted on his debut in the Gunners' previous Europa League fixture against FC Zurich. After his successful exploits, it is no surprise to see him included once again within the first team. Besides, the Brazilian has been ever-present on Arteta's substitutes' bench in the Premier League so far this campaign.
READ NEXT:
Antonio Conte explains why Arsenal and Edu were right to snub Djed Spence after training concern
Mikel Arteta to experiment with Arsenal signing as Granit Xhaka replacement in Europa League tie
Edu to offer Albert Sambi Lokonga as part of £26m deal amid Arsenal midfield transfer mission
Thierry Henry has told Mikel Arteta why Arsenal must intercept Chelsea's £56m bargain transfer
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
