Report as Arsenal make it three wins from three in Europe; Gunners move three points clear of Molde at the top of Group B; Martin Ellingsen gave Molde early lead but two own goals and efforts from Nicolas Pepe and Joe Willock secure victory for Arsenal
Friday 6 November 2020 08:12, UK
Arsenal overcame an early scare to continue their perfect start in the Europa League with a 4-1 victory over Norwegian side Molde at the Emirates Stadium.
Martin Ellingsen's long-range effort gave the visitors a shock lead in the 22nd minute, but Arsenal, after a rather disjointed first-half performance, were back on level terms just before the break thanks to Kristoffer Haugen's own goal (45+1).
The turnaround was complete in the 62nd minute as substitute Sheriff Sinyan also turned into his own net, before Nicolas Pepe (69) and Joe Willock (88) added the gloss to the scoreline for Mikel Arteta's side.
It's three wins from three in Europe now for the Gunners, who move three points clear of Molde at the top of Group B as they race towards qualification for the knockout rounds.
After a slow start, the game eventually burst into life when Bernd Leno's clearance quickly found its way back into the Arsenal half. Magnus Wolff Eikrem swept the ball into the path of Ellingsen, who beat a frustrated Leno from 25 yards.
Despite dominating possession, the Gunners were struggling for rhythm and they were not really testing goalkeeper Andreas Linde, but they should have drawn level when Eddie Nketiah poked home Pepe's low cross. However, the flag was raised for offside against Willock, but it was the England U21 striker who got the final touch.
Arteta's side did eventually draw level in first-half stoppage time as Granit Xhaka led a counter-attack. He played the ball forward for Nektiah, and his cross in search of Willock was turned into his own net by Haugen
It was another own goal which gave Arsenal the lead in the second half and this time, half-time substitute Sinyan, turned home Willock's cross with a number of Arsenal players waiting to pounce.
The game was then wrapped up in the 69th minute as Pepe swept home from the edge of the penalty area after substitute Bukayo Saka's excellent cutback.
Willock put the exclamation mark on the result for Arsenal, grabbing himself a deserved goal in the final stages. The Gunners won the ball back high up the pitch and Mohamed Elneny released Pepe, who set Willock free and the midfielder made no mistake, firing emphatically into the roof of the net.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta: "It was really important for us to win tonight and go top of the group. We had a convincing victory and the boys tried to go for them from the first minute. We went a goal behind but it was about the reaction, we created a lot of chances.
"If they did not score the own goals, we had players there for the tap in. We could sustain attacks and we did not want to let them run on the counter because they are a threat.
"I really like the approach that the younger players are having for each game, they want to make the difference, they are playing with a lot of personality.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on Willock's performance: "He could've scored more. All the time he was in goal-scoring situations. He created a few goals as well. He had a really good performance."
Arsenal defender David Luiz on Willock: "He's a fantastic kid. I'm always behind him to help.
"He could do better because he has the talent to be at the top level. He understands that every single day and for me, it's a pleasure to play with him, especially because he's humble.
"When you are humble you can learn things, be better and improve. If you are not humble you don't understand you need to improve.
"He's humble and he has a great present and a great future."
Sky Sports' Oliver Yew:
"Keep doing what he's doing consistently, and his chance will arrive."
That was Mikel Arteta's response when asked what Joe Willock has to do to get a chance in the Premier League, but after another excellent display in the Europa League, the 21-year-old, who has drawn comparisons to former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, is firmly knocking on his manager's door to be included in the club's Premier League squad.
Willock was an absentee from Arsenal's 18-man squad at Old Trafford, but after two man-of-the-match displays in the Europa League and two goals in as many games in the competition, he is certainly doing all the right things.
Full of energy and running, Willock continually popped up in goal scoring positions and he played key roles in Arsenal's first and second goals before putting the finishing touch on another fine display with an emphatic finish.
Will it be enough for him to get a chance when Arsenal take on Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Box Office? Willock's Europa League form will be difficult for Arteta to ignore, especially with Arsenal's struggles to break down Leicester at the Emirates Stadium fresh in the memory.
Willock offers Arsenal something very different and even if it's only as an option from the bench this weekend, his form deserves rewarding.
Arsenal host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Box Office; Kick-off at 7.15pm.
Sun Nov 8: Aston Villa (h)
Thurs Nov 26: Molde (a)
Sat Nov 28: Wolves (h) TBC
Thurs Dec 3: Rapid Vienna (h)
Sat Dec 5: Tottenham (a) TBC
Thurs Dec 10: Dundalk (a)
Sat Dec 12: Burnley (h) TBC
