Behind enemy lines (english version)

This week Arsenal is coming to Sweden and Östersund in the county of Jämtland. Last time Arsenal was in Sweden was 2016, then for a friendly in Gothenburg against Manchester City. But this time it is a competionmatch and last time Arsenal competed in Sweden was back in 1999 the 2 november against AIK in Champions Leage. That game ended with a 3-2 victory for Arsenal

But now times has changed and this time its Östersund and Europa league. Arsenal Malmö has been in contact with Joakim Castberg president of Falkarna (Östersunds FK supporterclub) to see what they think about the upcoming games.

Falkarna was founded in the spring of 2016 and has around 1000 members. Falkarna is the Swedish word for falcons and the name comes from that ÖFK has a falcon on the club crest. Falkarna is working for a good and strong supporterculture in Östersund that should be free from violence and hatred. It was a couple of dedicated supporters that founded Falkarna wich is the first supporterclub for a football team in Östersund ever.

Many swedes know about the success that Östersund have achieved in the last couple of years. Östersund is wellknow for the offensive football that has given them many wins both in Sweden and in Europe. Also Falkarna are surprised of the success.

-Ofcourse we ar surprised but not as much as everybody else. When Östersund reached Allsvenskan (first division in Sweden) we already knew that Graham Potter(Östersunds manager) was a unique manager and the people of Östersund belived strongly in this project says Joakim Castberg.

Joakim continues to speak about Potter.

-Potter has been crucial but probably and hopefully Potter will stay at Östersund because he has some values and a way of working that Östersund had decided to go with even before they hired Potter. Thats why Graham Potters philosophy was already in the club and that will live on even after Potters days in Östersund.

Joakim tells us that the teams that so far in Europa league that have visited Jämtkraft Arena Athletic Bilbao and Galatasaray had best supporters. Falkarna was around 3000 people when Östersund played against Heartha Berlin in the group stage. That game finished 1-1. But for the game in London it looks like Falkarna will break their record. 5000 people will go to Emirates stadium to se the 2nd leg the 22 of february.

- When you think that Östersund has 50 000 citizens then that number of supporters going to London is very impressive says Joakim.

Joakim tells us when Östersund was drawn against Arsenal it was fantastic and Falkarna started to think how to answer all questions about tickets. But now Falkarna are ready for the games against Arsenal. For the game in Östersund they have arranged a pre-game party att Arctura wich is located next to the skistadium only a couple of minutes walk to Jämtkraft Arena. All Östersund supporters will march togheter to the stadium. For the 2nd leg Falkarna will be in a couple of diffrent pubs around Emirates.

What does Falkarna think about Arsenal and their supporters?

- It is the first time we met Arsenal so we dont have any special perception. But Arsenal as a club is in a totally diffrent level from us and bigger then anyother team we have met. Biggest respect to Arsenal, says Joakim Castberg

Joakim tells us about his game prediction.

-The game will be a lot harder then Arsenal can imagine. They have no idea what will happen here in the woods. In Europa league we are unbeaten at our homeground. There is no reason to think that Arsenal is better then Bilbao, PAOK, Hertha Berlin or Galatasaray. We gonna win on thursday, says Joakim.

Joakim continues, if we make a good 1st leg than everything can happen in the 2nd leg so the first leg is vitual.

Which players should Arsenal look out for?

-I guess Arsene has looked up Ghoddos and Sema and probably these two will be vitual for us and they will create most of our offensive play.

Joakim wonders how the 1500 arsenalsupporters will sound in the stands and how organized they will be.

-We only have a supportersblock for 400 people so if we gonna make ourselves heard we need the rest of the stadiums help also. But honestly we dont care. We will make our thing and the main thing is that our players feel our support, tells Joakim.

Arsenal Malmö thanks Joakim for his time and answering our questions. We wish Falkarna the best in their work and that Falkarna and the Arsenalsupporters create a great atmosphere at Jämtkraft Arena on thursday.

Joakim got a last question and that was " What do you think of Tottenham? The answer was Tottenwho?