Two Arsenal stars singled out as "simply world-class' by Bodo/Glimt boss

Arsenal made light work of Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt and opposition manager Kjetil Knutsen could do little more than heap praise on the Gunners - singling out two players in particular.

Mikel Arteta's men kept up their stellar start to the new season, having lost just once while winning nine of their opening 10 fixtures across the Premier League and Europa League. Bodo were the most recent to be toppled by Arsenal, who ran out 3-0 winners at the Emirates on Thursday night.

First-half goals from Eddie Nketiah and Rob Holding sent the Gunners on their way, before Fabio Vieira netted a third late on to put the result beyond any doubt. The final goal of the game was assisted beautifully by Arsenal's man of the moment Gabriel Jesus after he dazzled with some delightful dribbling.

The Brazilian's form has been crucial in guiding the Gunners to the top of both the league table and their Europa League group. After the game, Bodo boss Knutsen conceded he harbours plenty of admiration for Arsenal while also dubbing Jesus and fellow second-half sub Martin Odegaard as 'simply world-class'.

"During the break we talked about how we were a bit passive,' he explained to Norwegian publication Mareritt. "We stopped the ball and did not take advantage of the spaces we had.

"In the second half we looked a lot more like we should. But they are not kind to us when they put on Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard. Then we meet quality. It's world class, quite simply.

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"They attack with a lot of people, they're patient and then suddenly they have that burst in the final third. If you only defend, you don't stand a chance against them."

Arteta didn't seem quite as pleased with his side's performance, especially given the undeniably tougher test of Liverpool awaits them back at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon.

"We made a lot of changes and gave opportunities to players who deserve to play," the Spaniard added. "I'm really happy with the result, scoring three and a clean sheet - but I'm very conscious we can do much better.

"We had spells that we were too rushed and we didn't manage the ball and it became an open game. We were really effective in the final third but the composure was lacking a little bit."

The Gunners have certainly impressed fans and pundits alike with their form so far this term, but the visit of Jurgen Klopp's Reds this coming weekend undeniably marks their hardest fixture to date so far this term.

Defeat against Liverpool would go someway to proving Arsenal's detractors right, that while Arteta has built a young side that plays free-flowing, attractive football - they still can't get one over on the division's 'bigger boys'.

A win would send quite the statement, one that lets those same doubters know there is something different about this Arsenal side - especially with the likes of Jesus and Odegaard going from strength to strength.

They welcome a Liverpool side that haven't exactly been operating at their usual standard and a rare Arsenal win over the Reds would not only see the Gunners remain top of the pile for another match-week, but also extend their points advantage over Klopp's side to an astonishing 14 points.

Few, including most likely Arteta, could have predicted that kind of gap before a ball had been kicked this season.

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