ARSENAL are through to the last-32 of the Europa League after a dominating victory in Norway.
- Final score: Molde 0-3 Arsenal
Follow ALL the reaction from this Europa League clash below…
GOODNIGHT FROM NORWAY
What a difference four days can make.
Ridiculed for his red card at Elland Road on Sunday, Nicolas Pepe repaid Mikel Arteta’s faith with a superb display in Norway to help secure Arsenal’s qualification from Group B of the Europa League.
The Gunners’ standout performer capped an impressive display with a fine opening goal as the Premier League side ran out 3-0 winners against Molde.
The winger had already gone close on several occasions – including hitting the crossbar just a minute earlier – before making the breakthrough with a lovely left-footed plant just after half-time.
Reiss Nelson added a second before 19-year-old Folarin Balogun scored his first Arsenal goal – just 37 seconds after entering the field as a substitute.
It means an unprecedented fourth win from four group matches in the competition and confirms Arsenal’s place among the Last 32.
Perhaps more importantly for the north London club, however, it may just mean a confidence-boosting return to goalscoring form ahead of Sunday’s match against Wolves at the Emirates.
Thanks for reading and goodnight.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Mark Irwin has filed his match report following Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Molde at the Aker Stadion.
GUNNERS EASE THROUGH
Arsenal secured their qualification from Europa League Group B after tonight’s 2-0 victory in Norway. The three points not only secured their route to the knockout phase, but meant that they have won their opening four group games for the first time.
Molde are still favourites to join them but it is set to be nervy final two games for the Norwegians, particularly if Rapid Vienna defeat Dundalk in the match that has just begun in Ireland.
GUNNERS RATED
See how we scored each Arsenal player this evening with a run down of our match ratings.
FROM RED TO REDEMPTION
Declared unacceptable by Mikel Arteta on Sunday after his sending off for a headbutt, Nicolas Pepe put in a excellent performance as Arsenal secured their path to the next stage of the Europa League.
PEPE ON FIRE
Hot-headed at the weekend, Nicolas Pepe repaid the faith shown in him by Mikel Arteta with a fine performance this evening.
The Ivorian tormented the Norwegian side down the Arsenal right flank as evidenced by his heatmap.
SUBS SINK MOLDE
The future looks bright for Arsenal – and maybe England.
LOVING THE EUROPA
Once again, Arsenal have done the business in the Europa League, but now to have to translate that form to the Premier League.
FT: MOLDE 0-3 ARSENAL
Three second half goals during a fine second half performance see Arsenal into the knockout stage of the Europa League. Nicolas Pepe, Reiss Nelson and substitute Folarin Balogun were all on target as the Premier League stepped it up a gear after half-time.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
IT’S ALL OVER IN NORWAY!
MOLDE 0-3 ARSENAL
90+2. The referee takes the ball full in the chest…which is always worth a laugh.
The result is an uncontested drop ball just outside the Molde area. It’s too late in the game for this nonsense.
FOLARIN’S DREAM
Relive the moment as Folarin Balogun scores his first goal for Arsenal, having been on the pitch for just 37 seconds as a substitute.
MOLDE 0-3 ARSENAL
90. The game drifts towards the 90 minute mark.
There will be three minutes of added time before Arsenal’s qualification for the knockout stages is confirmed with four group wins from four.
MOLDE 0-3 ARSENAL
87. There may have been home fans allowed in the ground this evening, but they’re not making much noise now.
Molde have been blown away by Arsenal in this second half.
INSTANT IMPACT
Folarin Balogun took just 37 seconds to make his mark.
82. What a substitution! And what a moment for young Folarin Balogun!
The striker had been on the pitch for less than a minute and has sealed Arsenal’s victory.
It’s only Balogun’s second appearance for the first team, and he’s ensured it will be one he long remembers.
Collecting a pass from another substitute, Emile Smith Rowe, the forward takes one touch before firing through Andreas Linde.
Magic!
Molde 0-3 ARSENAL
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLL!!
FOLARIN BALOGUN SCORES WITH HIS SECOND TOUCH!!
MOLDE 0-2 ARSENAL
82. Another change for Arsenal with 19-year-old Folarin Balogun coming on for Eddie Nketiah.
MOLDE 0-2 ARSENAL
79. Arsenal are happy to sit on their lead and allow the home side to have the ball now.
MOLDE 0-2 ARSENAL
76. Brilliant play by Bolly.
The Molde substitute does ever so well after chasing a ball towards the left corner flag.
He comes back inside to go past Cedric and then shows a turn of pace to beyond Mustafi.
Heading away from goal, the Ivorian arrows a shot back towards the far corner that whistles just over.
MOLDE 0-2 ARSENAL
75. Kieran Tierney comes off the bench. I wonder if he’s calmed down from Sunday yet.
Also ion is Emile Smith Rowe with Joe Willock and a clearly disappointed Alexandre Lacazette going off.
MOLDE 0-2 ARSENAL
74. The drummer among the Molde fans is still going strong.
Perhaps I preferred it with no fans in the stadiums.
MOLDE 0-2 ARSENAL
71. A fine save from Linde!
Hestad gives the ball away just outside of his own area, and the chance is teed up for Lacazette.
The forward goes for the far corner, but finds his shot acrobatically tipped around the post.
MOLDE 0-2 ARSENAL
69. Eikrem and Bolly look to exchange passes on the edge of the Arsenal box, but communication between the two breaks down – and so does the move.
The home side look incredibly flat after those two quickfire Arsenal goals.
MOLDE 0-2 ARSENAL
67. Nketiah is on the move again, chasing a ball down the left.
He comes inside on to his right foot and goes for goal, but it’s blocked by the challenge fo Gregersen.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
