Molde 0-3 Arsenal, Player Ratings: Pepe and Willock shine in Europa League win
Arsenal picked up their first win in three games with a confident performance against Molde and 3-0 victory in Group B of the Europa League.
The result confirms a spot in the Last 32 of the continental competition for Mikel Arteta's side. But who were the best and worst performers?
✔️ GOOD PERFORMANCE
Molde v Arsenal: Player Stats
In a fourth, consecutive start for Arteta’s side Joe Willock repaid his manager’s continued faith in him with two assists in the space of five minutes to ensure Arsenal’s win in Norway. Only two Arsenal players made more passes than the 21-year-old midfielder and with an accuracy of 93% it’s easy to see why he was so crucial to Arsenal’s victory.
❌ BAD PERFORMANCE
David Luiz was taken off by Arteta at half time and was replaced by Rob Holding. The Brazilian defender may have had to go off with an injury, but it’s worth noting that in the first half he won only half his aerial duels and lost the ball eight times over the course of the 45 minutes.
Alexandre Lacazette has only scored three goals for Arsenal this season and going on the basis of tonight’s performance it isn’t hard to see why. The French striker managed just one shot and four touches of the ball in the opposing box before he was pulled off after 75 minutes.
⭐ STAR MAN
Nicolas Pepe undoubtedly redeemed himself after a red card and horrendous performance against Leeds with an opening goal in the 50th minute of the game to put Arsenal in front.
Everything went through the Ivorian forward on the night, with Pepe picking up more touches than any other player in an Arsenal shirt. Which is quite uncommon for such an attacking player.
Similarly, no player hit more shots on the night or had more touches in the opposing box than the 25-year-old star, as he finally began to show some of the talent the club paid so much money for not too long ago.
Could this be the spark Pepe needs after four lacklustre performances for Arsenal? We’ll need to wait and see when Arteta’s side face Wolves on Sunday.