By Matty Sadler
November 26 2020

Another poor first half but job done in the second half. Qualification secured with two games to spare.

RATINGS

Runarsson - 7. Made a save in the first half which was more about the poor finish to be honest. Played Holding into trouble in the second half. Otherwise fine.

Cedric - 6. I haven't got anything negative to say about him which I think is a first.
Mustafi - 6. Solid though not massively tested.
Luiz - 6. Hope he isn't out for long.
Maitland-Niles - 7. Solid defensively and offered an overlap/ underlap option going forward. Looked good when he moved into midfield as well.

Willock - 8. His best first team performance in a deeper role? Two assists. Low ball for Nelson's goal was pinpoint.
Xhaka - 6. A big improvement on his Leeds performance.

Pepe - 9. Took his goal excellently. Rattled the crossbar with an earlier strike. Looked much more decisive as he drove at the defence. Can that stupid red card actually be a turning point, rather than the final nail in the coffin?
Lacazette - 4. He tries but playing him at #10 just showed up his physical limitations.
Nelson - 8. Bright spark in a poor first half. Scored. Hope he can stay fit.

Nketiah - 5. Missed a good headed chance. Doesn't seem to play with the same confidence he does for England U21s.

Subs:

Holding - 6. Runarsson played him into trouble but otherwise thought he was fine when he came on.
Ceballos - 6. Put himself about.
Smith Rowe - 6. Good assist for Balogun's goal.
Tierney - 6. Involved in Balogun's goal.
Balogun - 6. What a moment for him!

POST MATCH THOUGHTS

I have some gripes about team selection and substitutions, which might seem daft after a convincing win. Why force Lacazette and Nketiah into the same team, when playing just one of them and another midfielder makes so much more sense? Why bring Ceballos and Tierney on at all, but especially when the win is secured, when Azeez and Cottrell have traveled? Lack of trust in youngsters when even under Wenger we'd dust the Europa group stage comfortably with kids in the squad, and our current crop of youngsters are better. Hopefully see more of them in the last two games.
So, so happy for Balogun. What a moment for him.

Molde 0 Arsenal 3

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