- Arsenal travelled to Norway to face Molde on Thursday in the Europa League
- The first-half ended goalless with both sides going close, the Gunners on top
- Molde centre-back Sheriff Sinyan missed an open-goal sitter in the first 45
- Nicholas Pepe put in a determined display and scored the Gunners’ first
- Reiss Nelson bagged the second five minutes later in the 55th minute
- Folarin Balogun then scored his first goal for the Gunners’ first-team
A much-needed response from Nicolas Pepe, first European strike for Reiss Nelson, dream goal for exciting striker Folarin Balogun and qualification secured for the North London side.
The result means Arsenal are through to the round of 32 and can assure themselves top spot in Group B with a positive result at home to Rapid Vienna next week – a game which will see 2,000 supporters return to the Emirates Stadium for the first time in nine months.
Arsenal lost David Luiz to injury at the break, the Brazilian replaced in defence by Rob Holding – but it was at the other end of the pitch were Arsenal looked much sharper.
Nicolas Pepe showed the positive side of his game as he bounced back by scoring the opener to help Arsenal win.
The Ivory Coast winger kept his place in Arsenal’s side despite being criticised by manager Mikel Arteta following his red card in the goalless draw at Leeds on Sunday.
The win would be wrapped up by Balogun, the 19-year-old scoring his first Arsenal goal just 37 seconds into his second senior appearance as Linde failed to deal with his strike from Smith Rowe’s pass.
Arsenal host Wolves at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday night.
