Arsenal player ratings: Pepe proves a point and Balogun has Euro dream but Lacazette’s Gunners’ career going stale
ARSENAL breezed into the Europa League knockout stages with a 3-0 away win at Molde. Boss Mikel Arteta used the game to give some of his youngsters their chance to impress. And Nicolas Pepe was handed the chance to redeem himself following his red-card headbutt at the weekend. The Ivory Coast winger scored the opener […]
ARSENAL breezed into the Europa League knockout stages with a 3-0 away win at Molde.
Boss Mikel Arteta used the game to give some of his youngsters their chance to impress.
The Ivory Coast winger scored the opener to settle nerves, and then Reiss Nelson tapped home to make it 2-0.
Folarin Balogun climbed off the bench to score his first senior goal with his first touch after just 37 SECONDS to ensure safe progression into the latter stages of the European competition.
Here, SunSport’s John Hutchinson rates how Arsenal’s stars fared in their trip to Norway.
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Runar Runarsson – 6
Great save by the back-up keeper to deny Sinyan from opening the scoring in the 14th minute.
But almost gifted Molde an opportunity with a rush of blood on the stroke of half-time.
Cedric Soares – 7
Hasn’t played badly when called upon, but is firmly back-up to Bellerin despite the eyebrow-raising contract he was given in the summer.
Comfortable night’s work, seemed happy to let the youngsters round him to make the foraging runs.
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Shkodran Mustafi – 7
Many Gooners will be surprised Mustafi is still lingering around at Arsenal.
Didn’t have a lot to deal with so was faily comfortable throughout.
David Luiz – 6
Luiz doesn’t appear to be Arteta’s first-choice centre-half anymore, so gets these runouts in the Europa League.
But he failed to complete the full game, seemingly injured and being replaced by Holding at half-time.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 8
Every time he plays, Maitland-Niles brings an air of positivity and forward-thinking.
Great in attack and solid in the tackle, it’s about time the England U21 star got his chance under Arteta.
Nicolas Pepe – 9
This was the perfect chance for Pepe to redeem himself after his senseless sending off for a headbutt at the weekend.
Almost scored a worldie in the 48th minute, but his curling 25-yarder rebounded off the crossbar. But two minutes later got his goal with a stunner.
Joe Willock – 8
Given another chance to impress Arteta and the rookie was neat and tidy in possession.
Laid in an inch-perfect cross for Nelson to tap home a second. Looks much better when given the licence to create.
Granit Xhaka – 6
Looked yards of Molde playmaker Wolff-Eikrem in the first 45, probably because he ended up dropping into the centre-back areas.
But it was an easy night’s work for the Swiss international before he exited on the hour mark, replaced by Ceballos.
Reiss Nelson – 8
Like Maitland-Niles, Nelson brings an excitement to the Arsenal team.
Soemtimes shows hesitancy to try those defence-splitting passes but clearly has it in his locker. Scored Arsenal’s second after brilliant work out wide from Willock.
Alexandre Lacazette – 5
Captain for the night, and that should have given the Frenchman’s confidence a boost after a poor season so far.
But he was by far and away Arsenal’s quitest player. His career seems to be in limbo right now.
Eddie Nketiah – 6
Handed the central striker role, but just wasn’t getting the ball played into him enough in the first half.
Some nice touches, but all too often the young striker was harried off the ball. Saw a goal ruled out on 52 minutes when he was offside by an arm.
Substitutes
Holding (replaced Luiz, 45) – 7
Fitted in seamlessly when replacing Luiz.
Make-or-break season you’d think for the former Bolton man, who will want to be a first-team starter.
Ceballos (replaced Xhaka, 61) – 6
Barely noticed him, but more a sign of how comfortable it was for him.
Tierney (replaced Willock, 74) – 6
Slotted in but nothing spectacular from the Scot.
Smith Rowe (replaced Lacazette, 74) – 6
Made his Arsenal debut in the competition, and may well be given a Gunners lifeline after frustrating loan spells away.
Folarin Balogun (replaced Nketiah, 82) – 8
Scored with his first touch when he replaced Nketiah.
Big things are expected of him, and you can see why.
Not used: Bellerin, Macey, Balogun, Cottrell, Hein, Azeez.