FK Ostersunds' English boss Graham Potter hails dream draw as Swedish minnows are paired with Arsenal
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The only English coach left in Europe has been handed the chance to write his name into football folklore.
Graham Potter is the 42-year-old Brummie in charge of Swedish minnows Ostersunds who will face Arsenal in the last 32 of the Europa League.
What makes it even more incredible is Potter’s remarkable journey that has taken Ostersunds from the Swedish fourth tier into European football in just six years.
The ex-Southampton, Boston United and West Brom defender has gone from coaching at Leeds University as recently as 2010 to being the biggest success story in Swedish football.
They are even making plans to build a statue in his honour near the small ground which holds just over 8,000 and will host Arsenal with fans already desperately trying to get tickets.
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
Potter said: “Fantastic draw! I wanted to get a really big team.
"I think it is really cool to be going home to England and meeting one of the best teams in the Premier League. Now we are really underdogs."
Potter was recommended to Ostersunds by former Boston United team mate Graeme Jones, a long time coach and assistant to Belgium boss Roberto Martinez.
Jones had one of football’s many unlikely friendships with Ostersunds chairman Daniel Kindberg and to his credit he took a chance on Potter after the club slipped into the fourth division.
Ostersunds were only formed in 1996 - the same year as Wenger was appointed at Arsenal - but after three promotions in five years they are set for their biggest adventure yet.
Ostersunds forward Saman Ghoddos said: “It is insane. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined facing Arsenal in the knockout stages of the Europa League when I signed for Ostersunds.
(Image: Ombrello)
"We drew the best team straight away. Now we will look forward to this match. There will be no chance to just relax during the (winter break), we will be training hard.”
And Wenger admits he may start fielding stronger teams in the knock-out stages after relying on kids and fringe players in the Group.
It offers a passport into the Champions League for the winners and Wenger believes Arsenal have a genuine chance of lifting the trophy.
The Gunners boss said: “I just think do we have a chance to win it? I would say yes, so let’s give it a go.
“It’s like the FA Cup, we go straight away to direct knock-outs, so it’s important we have a go and give absolutely everything to do it. That’s why it was good in the first round to give experience to everybody.”