FK Bodo/Glimt midfielder and Arsenal fan Hugo Vetlesen has praised the Gunners and admitted he got Gabriel Jesus’ shirt when they visited London.
Starting home and away against Arsenal over the last week, FK Bodo/Glimt midfielder Hugo Vetlesen was living a bit of a childhood dream.
The 22-year-old has previously admitted he’s been an Arsenal fan all his life, and he didn’t waste the opportunity of a match at the Emirates Stadium to grab a memento.
“I asked Gabriel Jesus nicely if I could have his shirt, and he also wanted mine, so it was quite good,” Vetlesen admitted.
“You look up to those players, but at the same time, you must not have too much respect, because then it can affect what happens on the pitch.
“It wasn’t something I thought too much about right in the middle of the match, but it’s clear that after the match you try to get yourself a shirt.
“It’s not every day you get the opportunity to meet players like that.”
Despite ending up on the losing side, Vetlesen says the Arsenal team visiting Bodo left a positive impression on him.
“It was an Arsenal team who were humble, and who asked questions and chatted with us after the game,” he recalled.
“A fantastic club to visit. With such a big club, you’d think they’d get a bit of stardom, but I didn’t feel that at all.”
Arsenal are on an excellent run at the moment, winning 11 of their first 12 games in all competitions. But when things are going well, that’s when it’s most important to keep yourself in check. Pride comes before a fall, after all.
Bodo/Glimt could still have a part to play in Arsenal’s eventual ranking in their group, even if it looks as though their own chances of progressing to the knockout stages are hanging by a thread.
The Norwegian side still have a game to play at home against Arsenal’s main rivals PSV, which could be the difference between first and second for the Gunners.
Arteta’s side could even do Bodo/Glimt a favour with a couple of good results against PSV, which could keep those slim progression chances alive.
Both teams will be relying on the other at some stage, so it’s nice that they’re on good terms.