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Arsenal went top of Group B in the 2020-21 UEFA Europa League with a 4-1 win over Molde at the Emirates Stadium in London.
It was a harsh scoreline on the visitors, who were competitive for much of the game. Despite the loss, Molde are second in the group, with three games to go.
Arsenal, who spurned a couple of early chances, were left to rue their misses when they conceded in the 21st minute as Molde scored with their first shot of the game. Martin Ellingsen curled a delicious in-swinging shot into the bottom corner with his wand of a left foot.
The Gunners struggled to create opportunities for the rest of the half but were handed a lifeline when Kristoffer Haugen turned Eddie Nketiah's cross from the right into his own net just moments before the break.
Yet another own goal bailed out Arsenal when substitute Sheriff Sinyan bundled the ball into his own net from Joe Willock's cross at the hour mark.
Arsenal then made the game safe in the 69th minute when Nicolas Pepe guided Bukayo Saka's cross from the left into the bottom corner. Joe Willock grabbed a much-deserved goal in the 88th minute with a barn-storming finish to add further gloss on the scoreline.
On that note, here are the five major talking points from the game:
#5 Molde's opener shows the value of playing out from the back for Arsenal
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have become well known for playing out from the back, despite the inherent risks involved. It's a tactic that has confounded old-school, traditional pundits, who are of the opinion that when in doubt, it's best to hoof the ball up the field.
Well, Martin Ellingsen's wonderfully-taken goal proved exactly why Arteta persists with his tactics. The percentages prove that an aimless kick out ends with the ball returning swiftly, leaving defenders out of shape. It's exactly what happened after Leno's goal kick was recycled by Molde with interest.
Arsenal do take a risk when they pass out from the back, with Leno conceding against Rapid Wien in that manner. However, the Gunners top the list for goals that have involved the goalkeeper in the buildup in the Premier League. So, perhaps there could be some merit in that strategy.
#4 VAR was conspicuous by its absence
For all the criticism that VAR has faced in the last couple of seasons, when it is unavailable, its absence is felt quite strongly.
Arsenal ought to have had a goal in the first half after Eddie Nketiah turned in Nicolas Pepe's cross when the Gunners were 1-0 down. Joe Willock's presence did not obstruct the goalkeeper's view, so it was a legitimate goal, yet the linesman had his flag up immediately. However, there was no VAR to overturn the goal.
VAR is absent in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League for simple economic reasons - the likes of Dundalk are unable to afford the high frame-rate, high-definition cameras that VAR requires. Yet, one can't help but hope that the sooner all of football has the technology, the better it would be.
#3 Arsenal failed to impress with a much-changed team
Mikel Arteta isn't a man for reputations - his willingness to leave out big names in favour of unfancied players is a testament to that. Thus, Arsenal's current second -hoice players ought to really have had their tails up for the game against Molde.
Yet, the Gunners's 'bench' players were quite poor, looked lethargic and were off the pace for the entirety of the first half. Nicolas Pepe eventually grabbed a goal and an assist late on as Molde tired, but he was awful for much of the game, with his teammates not faring much better either.
The likes of Granit Xhaka, Dani Ceballos, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Shkodran Mustafi also did little to force their way into Arteta's plans, with rather poor performances. They didn't have much of an excuse either, having not started against Manchester United on the weekend.
#2 Molde ought to qualify for the knockout stage of the Europa League
The 4-1 scoreline was incredibly harsh on Molde, who looked quite capable of defeating Arsenal in the first half. After their opening goal, the Norwegian side did not look too ruffled and showed plenty of composure on the ball.
Even after two own goals conspired to leave Molde chasing the game, they were able to trouble the Arsenal backline with increasing frequency. Compared to Rapid Wien and Dundalk, Molde were the ones to give Arsenal the biggest headache.
The loss isn't too damaging for Erling Moe's team. They can definitely take the game to Arsenal at home and look good enough to qualify for the knockout stage of the 2020-21 UEFA Europa League.
#1 Joe Willock turns in a Man-of-the-Match performance for Arsenal
Joe Willock featured heavily for the Gunners in Unai Emery's time as Arsenal manager but has found chances hard to come by in Mikel Arteta's reign. However, the young Englishman is taking his chances in the 2020-21 UEFA Europa League with aplomb.
He greatly improved his prospects of a Premier League start with his performance against Molde, grabbing a goal late on after a spectacular display, where he was Arsenal's most dangerous player.
Willock was involved in both of Molde's own goals. He would have scored the opener had Haugen not intervened while he also provided the cross for Sheriff Sinyan's own goal that put Arsenal ahead in the game.
Arsenal have looked a bit bereft of thrust from the midfield in the Premier League this season. If Joe Willock plays like he did against Molde, he could soon force his way into Mikel Arteta's starting-XI.
At the very least, he deserves a chance in one of Arsenal's upcoming games against Aston Villa and Leeds.
