Arsenal continued their 100% start in the Europa League with a 4-1 win over Molde in the Emirates on Thursday evening.
The hosts went back against the course of the game after Martin Ellingsen pounced on a passive Arsenal in the middle of the first half to overtake Bernd Leno. A frustrating opening in the 45th minute ended with a somewhat happy equalizer, however, when Kristoffer Haugen, after a good job by Granit Xhaka and Joe Willock, pushed the ball into his own net before scoring a second own goal from Molde and in seven minutes of the second half scored an attempt by Nicolas Pepe Put the Gunners firmly in control.
Willock added a layer of shine to the score in the closing stages as he patted the ball high into the net after a sloppy game by the tiresome Norwegians.
positive
To win despite a mediocre performance is a good trait and in the end the North Londoners won the game at a gallop after shifting through the gears in the second half.
Negatives
The Molde start was a bad goal and came after unnecessary dubbing on the left. Leno boxed nowhere with the Arsenal press playing way too easily in the first half for manager Mikel Arteta’s taste.
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Manager rating of 10
6 – It was an ordinary feat from a not very experimental Arteta side, but this system seems to lack a creative connection between midfield and attack, with Dani Ceballos and Granit Xhaka often far too deep in the last third to put things together.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes receive no rating)
GK Bernd Leno, 6 – It was an excellently placed shot that struck him for Mole’s goal, but the German international will be disappointed that he couldn’t take Ellingsen’s low streak from the distance he’d seen all the way.
DF Ainsley Maitland-Niles, 7- An authoritative representation on the right, in which he looked dangerous in the opposing half while himself being secure and compact. Replaced shortly after the hour by Cedric Soares.
DF Shkodran Mustafi, 6 – An occasional set-piece threat and perhaps the safer one of Arsenal’s central defensive pairing in a poor first half but bounced back in the second half.
DF David Luiz, 5 – The middle half didn’t even try to close Ellingsen as the striker prepared to give Molde the lead and found it difficult to deal with the slippery Ohi Omoijuanfo at times. Booked for the arm lead in an air duel in the second half.
DF Sead Kolasinac, 6 – It was a grueling effort that lacked urgency and holdover in the first half and while the Bosnian was a more regular game in the final third, he simply had to score points from the 6 yard penalty area in the second half to achieve his goal At the mercy of grace.
MF Granit Xhaka, 6 – Played a role in Arsenal’s equalization by carrying the ball through the Molde half before releasing Nketiah in the penalty area. Kieran Tierney came on in the 80th minute when Arsenal switched back to three.
MF Dani Ceballos, 6 – He certainly has enough talent to unlock stubborn defenses, but the Real Madrid borrower hasn’t been able to put himself in enough dangerous positions to create anything meaningful. A quiet outing came to an end after 79 minutes when he was replaced by Mohamed Elneny.
MF Joe Willock, 7 – The 21-year-old played a key role in both Molde’s own goals as his powerful run forced Haugen to tie the ball into his own net to make it 1-1 before his shot was stabbed home by Sinyan to push his side forward bring. His strong performance came to an end in the 88th minute when he took a forceful shot home in the penalty area.
MF Nicolas Pepe, 6 – A poor performance, with the winger constantly shooting at the ball and giving it away unnecessarily, but the Ivorian scratched a six after perfectly stroking Arsenal’s third home.
MF Willian, 6 – The Brazil international had fleeting moments when he looked dangerous but the former Chelsea player likely had an eye on Sunday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa and was sent off for Bukayo Saka after 63 minutes.
FW Eddie Nketiah, 6 – Unfortunately, he was denied a goal by the offside flag when he tapped home from close range at the end of the first half before defender Haugen sent his pass into his own net a few minutes later via the penalty area.
replacement
DF Cedric Soares, 6 – Got further, bringing some pace and intent to Arsenal’s right flank.
MF Bukayo Saka, 6 – Seat was found in the penalty area before Pepe withdrew the ball to drive home and put the Gunners in the driver’s seat. Booked for a trip in the 77th minute.
MF Mohamed Elneny, NR – Solidified Arsenal midfield in his brief cameo.
DF Kieran Tierney, NR – Came on to unpack the central defense for the last 10 minutes and see things.
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