Arsenal vs Molde Player Ratings: Nelson & Pepe Shine as Gunners Qualify

Arsenal beat Molde FK 3-0 in Thursday’s Europa League group clash.

Heading into round four of the Europa League group stage matches, Arsenal boasted a 100% record with qualification to the knockout stages within their sights as they travelled to the Aker Stadion to face Norwegian outfit Molde FK. A welcome distraction from Premier League action.

A first half with Arsenal fielding two, yes, two wingers and Alexandre Lacazette as the No. 10 (yes, that too) saw the visitors look the more dangerous. The Molde goalkeeper was never truly tested, but Reiss Nelson and Nicolas Pepe both came close.

However, Molde had by far the best opportunity that was somehow missed, as the score remained 0-0 heading into the break.

Better progression with the ball from back to front emerged from Arsenal after the break, who took the lead through Pepe’s calm finish inside the box. Joe Willock, who set up the Ivorian, then grabbed another assist as his low ball across the box was thumped home by Nelson.

No more goals were forthcoming, as Arsenal wrapped up qualification to the Europa League knockout stages.

Arsenal Player Ratings

Arsenal Goalkeeper & Defenders

Alex Runarsson (GK) – 7/10 – Looked totally unfazed in his first Arsenal match away from the Emirates, playing out from the back accurately and intelligently. Had one hairy moment at the end of the first half but was otherwise solid. Very early days but he looks like a decent, cheap addition.

Cedric Soares (RB) – 6/10 – Played a few neat through balls down the line for Nicolas Pepe which, on another day could have resulted in goals. Never going to go on mazy Hector Bellerin-esque runs as he’s mostly average, but it was an OK evening for Cedric.

Shkodran Mustafi (CB) – 7/10 – Molde’s threat came down the wide areas where crosses were allowed to make their way into the box, with Mustafi not culpable of some characteristic mistakes on Thursday. Passing was fairly neat on the night in a solid shift for the German.

David Luiz (CB) – 5/10 – Opted to go long on too many occasions where Arsenal were comfortable at the back. Could easily have fed the ball into midfield yet seemed to panic at times.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles (LB) – 7/10 – Not a great first for Maitland-Niles, who was weak in his defensive one-on-one duels. Can never be overly critical of someone playing on the opposite flank – or a different role entirely if he’s still considered a central midfielder – but he improved greatly after the break.

Arsenal Midfielders

Nicolas Pepe (RM) – 8/10 – Unbelievably frustrating to see Nicolas Pepe play like this. We can bang on about the opposition, but he had his best game of the season tonight with the level of consistency that we’ve been crying out for. His corners were accurate (shouldn’t be praised but it’s an improvement), his decision making wiser and his work on the ball much sharper.

Got his goal and thoroughly deserved it.

Joe Willock (CM) – 7/10 – Didn’t offer enough in a progressive sense in the first half, but with Alexandre Lacazette playing in the ten role he was more limited in the areas he could run into. Barely gave the ball away and started exploiting the inside right channel in the second half to great effect.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – 6/10 – Was too negative on the ball at times. Slowed moves down, particularly with one breakaway in the second half. He’s capable of finding a teammate, but the distribution was too negative.

Reiss Nelson (LM) – 8/10 – Should share the man-of-the-match award with Nicolas Pepe. Coming in off the left hand side, Nelson disrupted the Molde backline throughout and was a lively, but ultimately exciting threat. Could really have come off sooner since he will be needed in the upcoming Premier League fixtures.

Arsenal Forwards

Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – 6/10 – Did not play as a No. 9, but didn’t do….too badly? Lacazette is in no way built to play this role. He just isn’t. Was he bad on Thursday, though? He wasn’t, although his influence waned as the match wore on where he was sitting so deep that he barely got involved in play. A tactical move that allowed the wingers to be involved heavily.

Eddie Nketiah (ST) – 6/10 – A mixed bag for Nketiah. There were some delightful touches in the first half and clever movement off the ball, but he looked a touch off the pace in regards to his decision making and was guilty of missing a glorious chance in the second period.

Substitutes

Rob Holding – 5/10 – Didn’t have much to do after coming on as a half-time substitute and was slightly nervy in a few moments. Did play out from the back more than Luiz did which was the catalyst to a solid second half showing.

Dani Ceballos – 7/10 – Came on and played a few delightful balls, none more special than the one that led up to the third goal.

Kieran Tierney – 7/10 – He’s very, very good. Ideally he wouldn’t have come on at all.

Emile Smith Rowe – 7/10 – Showed excellent vision when on the ball, instantly showed his class in the short time he played. Grabbed an assist to boot. The next two Europa League fixtures will see him start, for sure.

Folarin Balogun – 8/10 – HE SCORED!!!! His very first touches as well! Playing on the shoulder throughout his cameo, his eagerness shone through. Big night for the striker.