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#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.
