Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Europa League Group A football match between FK Bodoe/Glimt and Arsenal FC in Bodo, Norway on Thursday. (Photo by Fredrik Varfjell / NTB / AFP)
Arsenal maintained their perfect start to the Europa League as Bukayo Saka’s goal clinched a 1-0 win at Bodo/Glimt, while Manchester United left it late to beat Omonia Nicosia.
Saka struck midway through the first half in Norway to give the Gunners a third win in as many outings in Group A.
“I’m really happy with the win against a team that has won the last 14 games here at home,” Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta told BT Sport.
“We were expecting a really tough night here and we made a lot of changes again but I’m delighted to find a way to win.”
Arsenal are two points clear of PSV Eindhoven, who thrashed FC Zurich 5-0. Bodo/Glimt have four points from four matches.
Scott McTominay spared United’s blushes with a 93rd-minute goal in a 1-0 win over Cypriots Omonia at Old Trafford.
Omonia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho pulled off a string of fine saves to frustrate a wasteful United before the Scotland midfielder fired home in stoppage time.
“You have to be patient sometimes. Their goalkeeper was a different class but we created enough chances and deserved to score in the end,” McTominay told BT Sport.
“It’s a massive goal because we need to win the group.”
Erik ten Hag’s team stayed three points behind Group E leaders Real Sociedad, who beat 10-man Sheriff Tiraspol 3-0 to record a fourth successive win.
La Real are guaranteed to advance. They host United on November 3 in a clash likely to determine which team goes directly into the last 16.
Each of the eight group runners-up will face a team that drops down from the Champions League, in a knockout round play-off in February.
Real Betis dropped their first points of the competition after a 1-1 draw at home to Roma in Group C as they missed the chance to secure a last-16 spot.
Sergio Canales put Betis ahead on 34 minutes but Andrea Belotti equalised for Roma, who remain third in the section behind Ludogorets. The Bulgarians won 2-0 at home to HJK Helsinki.
Freiburg eased to a fourth consecutive victory in Group G, piling further misery on Nantes with a 4-0 win away to the French Cup holders.
Fenerbahce and Rennes both ensured they will progress from Group B. Fenerbahce won 2-1 at AEK Larnaca, while Rennes defeated Dynamo Kyiv 1-0 in Krakow.
Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise must wait to make sure of a place in the last 16 despite coming from two goals down in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Braga.
Union Berlin revived their hopes in Group D as Robin Knoche’s 89th-minute penalty gave the surprise Bundesliga leaders a 1-0 victory over Malmo.
All four teams in Group F are level on five points. Lazio drew 2-2 at home to Sturm Graz while Feyenoord were held by the same scoreline by Midtjylland.
Ferencvaros are three points clear in Group H after beating Red Star Belgrade 2-1. Trabzonspor hammered Monaco 4-0 to climb above the Ligue 1 side into second.
Villarreal qualified for the last 16 of the Europa Conference League as winners of Group C. Senegalese midfielder Nicolas Jackson scored the only goal in their 1-0 win at Austria Vienna.
West Ham advanced from Group B following a 2-1 win over Anderlecht courtesy of goals from Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen.
The Hammers need just a point from their final two games to wrap up top spot.
Istanbul Basaksehir and Djurgarden will also continue their European adventure in the new year.
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.
