The Gunners face Group A rivals Bodo/Glimt in a crucial clash at the top of the table, but will be without the sensational Gabriel Jesus.
Jesus played a key role in Arsenal’s return to the top of the Premier League on Sunday following a 3-2 win over Liverpool at the Emirates.
The 26-year-old scored the decisive penalty that Bukayo Saka converted to seal the three points for Mikel Arteta’s men.
But despite his fine form since moving from Manchester City in the summer, Jesus stayed home to watch his team-mates take on Bodo on Thursday.
Arteta explains the decision to leave Jesus out
With just two points separating the two sides ahead of tonight’s game, Bodo/Glimt and Arsenal have everything to play for as they battle for a place in the next round.
But Arsenal will be looking to repeat the performance that saw the Gunners beat Bodo 3-0 at the Emirates in the reverse fixture.
Jesús, who started on the bench in that match and came on as a substitute in the second half, will not play the second leg in Norway after being completely out of the squad.
The coach, Arteta, gave an idea and said that he decided to leave the Brazilian out for tactical reasons and because of everything that has happened so far.
“We thought that, obviously, with everything that has happened in the last few weeks, that it was better for him to stay at home,” Arteta said in his pre-match press conference.
“What we’re thinking about is how we’re going to win the game, that’s all. How we win every three games, in different conditions, in different contexts, in different weather and in different competitions is the only way we approach the game.
“At the end of the day, we’ll have XI players on that field, our selection is based on how we think we’re going to win the game, that’s all.”
Jesús has played two matches in the Europa League this season and only has one assist to his credit.
