Molde 0-3 Arsenal: Three Things We Learned

After another hectic week of action, Arsenal have once again been able to come away with all three points in Europe as they beat Molde 3-0 in the UEFA Europa League last night. The Gunners put in one of their best performances of the season so far, and while there are much harder games to come in this competition, it’s safe to say that they are well on their way towards another run deep into the knockout stage.

Molde’s second half woes

In the reverse fixture, Molde held Arsenal well for long spells in the first half before falling apart in the second. This time around, the exact same thing transpired after they went into half time at 0-0. They did everything in their power to try and combat whatever Arsenal were throwing at them, but once the first goal came, it just felt as if they crumbled. If they want to do more in the UEL then they need to start thinking differently about their approach.

Pepe’s resurgence

Nicolas Pepe’s headbutt and subsequent red card last weekend made him public enemy number one at the Emirates and rightly so. However, Mikel Arteta kept his trust in him, and that trust paid off in a big way as Pepe was the guiding light because Arsenal securing the win here. He clearly knows that he’s made a mistake and while he may have to think about that for the next three Premier League games, he still has the freedom to make an impact in Europe.

Trophy hope for Arsenal?

Every single year it seems as if Arsenal are going to be the ones to lift the Europa League trophy, and every year they seem to fall short in an entirely unique way. This time around they are the second favorites with 888sport at odds of 7/1, ironically behind rivals Tottenham, and we’d argue this is their best chance to finally get the job done. Arteta has already been able to pick up two pieces of silverware during his tenure as manager, and we think that he has what it takes to guide them through the latter stages of the competition.

Match Report

Molde: Linde (6.5), Risa (6), Sinyan (6.5), Gregersen (6.5), Wingo (6.5), Hussain (6.5), Aursnes (6.5), Ellingsen (6), Eikrem (6), Hestad (6), James (6.5), Bolly (6), Omoijuanfo (6), Knudtzon (6), Pedersen (6), Brynhildsen (6)

Arsenal: Runarsson (7), Soares (7), Mustafi (8), Luiz (6.5), Maitland-Niles (7.5), Pepe (9), Willock (8), Xhaka (7), Nelson (8), Lacazette (7), Nketiah (6), Balogun (7), Tierney (6), Rowe (7), Holding (7), Ceballos (6.5)

Referee: Irfan Peljto

Goals: Pepe, Nelson, Balogun

Yellow Cards: N/A

Red Cards: N/A