Arsenal will be able to adapt to freezing temperatures in Sweden, says Ostersund boss Graham Potter

Potter (right) says Thursday's game is the biggest of his career
AFP/Getty Images
James Benge15 February 2018

Ostersund manager Graham Potter expects Arsenal to adapt to the sub-zero conditions in northern Sweden for their Europa League round of 32 first leg.

Arsene Wenger’s side will take to the field with the temperature at a chilly minus-four degrees on Thursday evening, though that number compares favourably with around a week ago, when thermometers were plunging to -19°C.

“Now it’s quite pleasant,” Potter said in his pre-match press conference. “It’s like a spring morning for us.

“I think Arsenal will adapt, they are top players, top professionals. It’s not the conditions that are a factor, it’s how well we play.”

Potter added: “We’ve prepared for us to be as good as we can be against whoever we play. Whoever it is will be a top team.

“We’ve come out of a stage that is a bit like preseason for us. We could spend a lot of time second guessing.

“We just know we will be against a top team and we have to play well.”

Only seven years ago Ostersund were playing in the fourth tier of Swedish football but under Potter they earned their passage to the Europa League by winning the Svenska Cuppen.

The underdogs have since defeated Galatasary, PAOK before pipping Hertha Berlin and Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk to second place in Group J.

But for Solihull-born Potter, whose playing career took him from Birmingham City to Macclesfield via West Brom, Northampton and Shrewsbury, a giant-killing of Arsenal would be the biggest shock yet.

“Everything we do now is a new to us,” he said. “That’s why I’m so proud of the players.

“I have faith in the players to deal with the opportunity. If we are successful it’s a huge moment for everybody.”

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