Who are Ostersunds? All you need to know about Arsenal's Europa League last-32 opponents and their English manager
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There's a feel of the FA Cup about the Europa League last-32, as an underdog English manager gets his time in the spotlight at the Emirates.
Arsenal have been pitted against Swedish minnows Ostersunds, who are led by former York defender Graham Potter.
The 42-year-old, who made one appearance for England Under-21s in 1996, took over Ostersunds in 2011 and has not looked back since.
Potter has overseen a remarkable rise, taking the Jamtland region side all the way from the fourth tier to European football - and they don't want to stop at the Europa League.
Here is all you need to know about Arsenal's next Europa League opponents...
(Image: AFP)
(Image: Ombrello)
Ostersunds profiled
Full name: Ostersunds Fotbollsklubb
Founded: October 1996 - after Arsene Wenger was appointed Arsenal manager!
Ground: Jamkraft Arena, Ostersund
Capacity: 8,466
Chairman: Daniel Kindberg
League: Allsvenskan
2017 finishing position: 5th
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
Who is Graham Potter?
Potter's playing career was nothing on note.
In England, he represented 11 different teams in the Football League, including Birmingham, Stoke, Southampton and West Brom.
He appeared for Southampton in the infamous 6-3 win over Manchester United in 1996, coming off the bench and replacing Simon Charlton.
But it was at York City where he was most renowned, making 131 appearances in all competitions at full-back.
His spell at Ostersunds is his first foray into club management and he has gone from strength-to-strength, earning three promotions on their way to European football and domestic cup success.
(Image: AFP)
(Image: REUTERS)
With three wins out of six, only three English managers have more Europa League victories (excluding qualifiers) than Potter: Roy Hodgson (10 out of 21), Steve McClaren (six out of 18) and Alan Pardew (four out of 12).
He has become known locally for his unorthodox managerial techniques, which include making players take part in drama productions. The team performed Swan Lake in a local theatre in late 2015.
How did Potter end up as Ostersunds?
Potter signed a three-year contract as Ostersunds manager back in December 2010, becoming the club's third English manager after Neil McDonald and Lee Makel.
While studying a degree in leadership and emotional intelligence, Potter was put in touch with the club by former team-mate Graeme Jones (who has recently worked with Everton).
Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2016, Potter recalled his appointment: "When I consider giving up my job, my wife's business and our family, it was bordering on insanity I guess!
"But it was also believing in the project. To make it all happen has made me very proud."
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Do they have any English players?
Curtis Edwards, who only last year returned to English 10th-tier side Thornaby for a third spell, is one of two English players in Ostersunds' current set-up.
The 23-year-old has also represented Darlington and Spennymoor Town since 2013 - but will now step out at the Emirates in European competition.
Jamie Hopcutt, who has previously represented York, Whitby Town, Stokesley, Ossett Town and Tadcaster Albion, has been playing with Ostersunds in Sweden since 2012.
He is still only 25 years old.
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What are the clubs ambitions?
Ostersunds are determined to reach the Champions League group stages, just as their compatriots Malmo did two seasons ago.
Speaking of the club's ambitions, Potter said: "My chairman (Daniel Kindberg) is an ambitious guy. He wants to win the Allsvenskan and then get into the Champions League. That's the end goal.
"Six years ago when we were in the fourth tier of Swedish football that sounded like he needed to go to some institution.
"It's still the aim. That's what we want to try to do and work towards."
(Image: REUTERS)
When are the Europa League ties being played?
Arsenal will visit Ostersunds on Thursday February 15, with the kick-off time yet to be decided.
The return leg at the Emirates will be one week later on February 22.