ARSENAL had to come from behind as they saw off a spirited Molde at the Emirates.
- Final score: Arsenal 4-1 Molde
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THAT’S A WRAP
Thanks for joining us this evening.
Don’t forget to take a look at our match report, you can find it here.
YOUNG GUNS
There is a bunch of young talent in the Arsenal squad and the Gunners boss has been thrilled with the way they’ve played of late.
Arteta says “I really like the approach they have for every game.
“They want to make the difference for the team, they’re playing with a lot of personality so I’m really pleased with them.
On Willock’s performance and his chance to feature in the Premier League, Arteta says: “He could have scored more, he was in good goal scoring situations and created a few.
“I think he had a really good performance.
“If he keeps doing what he is doing consistently then his time will come.”
BOSS SPEAKS
Mikel Arteta says: “It was a really important for us to win tonight and go top of the group with a very convincing victory.
“After going a goal behind it was about the reaction and being patient, we were and generated a lot of chances which meant we won the game.
“I think we got into good spaces and if they didn’t score own goals then we would have been there for the tap in.”
NO AVERAGE JOE
Willock’s performances have been limited to competitions other than the Premier League, but fans are hoping that it won’t be long until we see him in top-flight English football.
Willock says “I’m just taking it game-by-game, it’s all part of my journey, I’m a young kid and I’m trying to play well each time I’m given the opportunity.
“I need to learn from the disappointment of not being in the squad and then pick myself up to play.
“I trust the manager and trust that he’ll give me the opportunities when I deserve it.
“When I get a chance to play in the Premier League, I hope I can perform like I did tonight.”
MAN OF THE MATCH
After an incredible performance, we can hear from 21-year-old Joe Willock.
The midfielder says “The first half was tough, they started sharp and they played really well, so we had to stick with it.
“We hade to stick to the game plan and not get frustrated- that’s what we did, so we came out on top.”
Speaking of his goal, Willocks says: .”It broke for us and Nico looked up, passed it to me so I made sure I wasn’t making any mistake with that one, as I had a couple of chances earlier.
“I thought ‘this is my chance to score’ and it went it, which I’m happy about.”
HISTORY MAKERS
There have been 90 goals in one night of Europa League action, from 25 games!
NOR WAY WAS THAT THE SCORE!
Molde scored three goals, but lost 4-1.
Two own goals from the Norwegian outfit doesn’t really do their performance much justice.
YOUNG GUNNERS
From a slow start, Arsenal recovered well and bagged nine points out of nine to top Group B.
Willock, 21, was in the thick of the action and thoroughly deserved to get his name on the score sheet.
FT: ARSENAL 4-1 MOLDE
ARSENAL 4-1 MOLDE
90. Two extra minutes at the Emirates.
ARSENAL 4-1 MOLDE
89. Great ball in from Saka to the six-yard box, but as the ball fizzes to Nketiah he misreads the path of the ball and fails to connect with it.
88. Pepe pokes the ball through to Willock who pushes the ball once before firing it into the top right corner with his right foot.
He absolutely walloped the ball and managed to do so as he was being pushed the ground- he thoroughly deserved that goal after his performance this evening.
ARSENAL 4-1 MOLDE
GOOOOAL
WILLOCK MAKES UP FOR MISSING HIS LAST EFFORT
ARSENAL 3-1 MOLDE
86. Tierney sends a lovely ball across the centre of the box, as Willock turns 180 to put himself on his right foot.
But his body positioning is off and he sends it wide of the right post.
ARSENAL 3-1 MOLDE
84: OH MY! THAT WAS CLOSE
James takes a shot from the right of the box and Luiz’s deflection causes the ball to ruffle the side netting.
ARSENAL 3-1 MOLDE
84. Substitution for Molde; Ellingsen is replaced by Mostrom.
ARSENAL 3-1 MOLDE
Arsenal have had two goals disallowed for offside infringements.
But this a chance well and truly missed!
ARSENAL 3-1 MOLDE
80. The ball is in the back of the net, but the flag is up again for Arsenal!
Cedric’s effort is deflected and falls to Saka who is only a yard or two in front of the left post.
Miraculously he hits the post and as the ball falls to Nketiah he buries it.
But Saka had drifted offside beforehand.
ARSENAL 3-1 MOLDE
79. Arsenal make two more substitutions; Ceballos is replaced by Elneny and Xhaka makes way for Tierney
ARSENAL 3-1 MOLDE
How’s Saka for a stat?
ARSENAL 3-1 MOLDE
75. Saka is booked for a tackle on Wingo just a few yards out from the Arsenal area.
ARSENAL 3-1 MOLDE
Here’s Pepe’s shot for your viewing pleasure…
ARSENAL 3-1 MOLDE
74. Arsenal aren’t content with three, as Willock is on the hunt again.
ARSENAL 3-1 MOLDE
72. Double substitution for Molde; their goal scorer Eirkrem is replaced by Brynhildsen
James is also on for Omijuanfo.
69. Saka is picked out on the overlap, on the left, and pulls it back to Pepe who meets the ball at the top of the box.
There’s one touch before Pepe pulls the trigger with his left foot to fire the ball hard and low into the bottom left corner.
Linde is left blindsided by the shot that sees Pepe bag his fourth goal European goal.
ARSENAL 3-1 MOLDE
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
