“It’s important that I keep working hard to enjoy more moments like this.": All the best quotes following Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Molde
“It’s important that I keep working hard to enjoy more moments like this.": All the best quotes following Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Molde in the Europa League
By Adam Le RouxArsenal secured qualification for the Europa League group stage with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Molde on Thursday night, with Nicolas Pepe, Reiss Nelson and Folarin Balogun all on the scoresheet in Norway.
The victory over the Eliteserien champions was the Gunners’ fourth consecutive win in the competition and sees them progress to the last 32 with two games to spare.
After going into the interval goalless, the visitors eventually broke the deadlock five minutes after half-time, as Sunday’s villain Pepe used his trusty left foot to curl into the top corner.
Nelson made it two just five minutes later, as the 20-year-old turned in Joe Willock’s low ball in from the right, before academy graduate Balogun notched his first goal for the club with his first touch eight minutes from the end.
It marks a job well done for Mikel Arteta and his side, who need just a point from their last two matches against Rapid Vienna and Dundalk to secure top spot in Group B.
There were plenty of talking points after the win, so let’s take a look at some of the best quotes after Thursday’s action.
The Ivorian was itching to get on the ball throughout the 90 minutes, as he looked to redeem himself after his red card at Elland Road in the 0-0 draw with Leeds United on Sunday.
After hitting the crossbar with a rasping shot just a minute before, Pepe finally got the goal that his play deserved five minutes after the break, as he controlled Joe Willock’s cross before curling in past the despairing dive of home goalkeeper Andreas Linde.
The reaction to Sunday’s shenanigans was something that pleased his boss no end, as Mikel Arteta was delighted with the winger’s performance and eager to see him perform at that level on a consistent basis.
"I could see from the first minute, from his body language, that he was ready to act," Arteta said. "I think he had a great performance.”
"He created some great moments in the game and worked really hard for the team. I really liked it. I am really pleased with that.
"We all know where his level is and all the time the question is how often he can get to that level - and how he contributes to other aspects of the game.
"This is the example. That should be the level he needs to hit and from there he needs to keep improving.”
With a suspension in the Premier League to come, a spell of Europa League matches could be what the former Lille man needs to boost his confidence in front of goal, before reaping the rewards back in the domestic game.
The youngster ghosted into the penalty area to make contact with Joe Willock’s expertly guided cross to turn the ball in and double the Gunners’ advantage - giving them a lead they never looked like surrendering.
Although we have only seen glimpses of him this season, Nelson looks to have matured into a more accomplished player this term and will no doubt be in Arteta's mind for his Premier League plans soon.
Sunday’s match at Leeds was the first time he has featured in the league this season, but from his boss’ post-match quotes, he could be in line for a more prominent role in the future.
“He’s made some big steps in the last month or so. He’s shown what he can do,” Arteta said after the match.
“Again, he’s another player that wants to take you on all the time, he’s very vertical, he’s a great player when he runs in behind and he’s very unpredictable. I really like these types of players to play in the wide positions.
‘Defensively, there are things that he needs to do better and he will improve in that but he’s a much more mature player."
And Arteta also stated how pleased he was that Nelson decided to stay at the club rather than head out on loan this season.
Nelson made the loan move to Hoffenheim two years ago to aid his progression, but his determination to stay at the Emirates this time around has proved to his boss that he is ready to fight for his place.
Arteta said: “He showed a great attitude, in my opinion, to say that he didn’t want to leave on loan because he believes that he’s got a chance to play for this football club.
“He’s showing that he wants to take that direction. He’s performing in the right way.’
The 19-year-old had only come onto the pitch seconds before adding the Gunners’ third of the night, as he picked up Emile Smith-Rowe's ball before turning and firing home.
The New York-born striker has been stalling over a new contract at the Emirates recently after a lack of game time but after two appearances in the Europa League, Arteta is hoping to keep him at the club for longer.
And the faith of his boss seems to be paying off for Balogun, who is now desperate to build on that maiden goal.
“It’s important that I keep working hard to enjoy more moments like this. I didn’t think that particular [break for the goal] was going to be my chance, but I always try to stay ready and I’m happy that on this occasion it paid off," said Balogun.
“It’s been good [to be involved], it’s nice to see the boss showing faith in me. It feels like this is good experience for me.
“I just need to keep on learning, keep on adding to my game and I’m happy that I could contribute here.”
The victory over the Eliteserien champions was the Gunners’ fourth consecutive win in the competition and sees them progress to the last 32 with two games to spare.
After going into the interval goalless, the visitors eventually broke the deadlock five minutes after half-time, as Sunday’s villain Pepe used his trusty left foot to curl into the top corner.
Nelson made it two just five minutes later, as the 20-year-old turned in Joe Willock’s low ball in from the right, before academy graduate Balogun notched his first goal for the club with his first touch eight minutes from the end.
It marks a job well done for Mikel Arteta and his side, who need just a point from their last two matches against Rapid Vienna and Dundalk to secure top spot in Group B.
There were plenty of talking points after the win, so let’s take a look at some of the best quotes after Thursday’s action.
Redemption in Norway for Nicolas
From the second the first whistle was blown at the Aker Stadion, you could tell that Nicolas Pepe had a point to prove.The Ivorian was itching to get on the ball throughout the 90 minutes, as he looked to redeem himself after his red card at Elland Road in the 0-0 draw with Leeds United on Sunday.
After hitting the crossbar with a rasping shot just a minute before, Pepe finally got the goal that his play deserved five minutes after the break, as he controlled Joe Willock’s cross before curling in past the despairing dive of home goalkeeper Andreas Linde.
The reaction to Sunday’s shenanigans was something that pleased his boss no end, as Mikel Arteta was delighted with the winger’s performance and eager to see him perform at that level on a consistent basis.
"I could see from the first minute, from his body language, that he was ready to act," Arteta said. "I think he had a great performance.”
"He created some great moments in the game and worked really hard for the team. I really liked it. I am really pleased with that.
"We all know where his level is and all the time the question is how often he can get to that level - and how he contributes to other aspects of the game.
"This is the example. That should be the level he needs to hit and from there he needs to keep improving.”
With a suspension in the Premier League to come, a spell of Europa League matches could be what the former Lille man needs to boost his confidence in front of goal, before reaping the rewards back in the domestic game.
Nelson makes his mark
It was a first goal of the season for Reiss Nelson in Norway, as the 20-year-old netted on his sixth appearance in all competitions this season to stamp Arsenal’s authority onto the game.The youngster ghosted into the penalty area to make contact with Joe Willock’s expertly guided cross to turn the ball in and double the Gunners’ advantage - giving them a lead they never looked like surrendering.
Although we have only seen glimpses of him this season, Nelson looks to have matured into a more accomplished player this term and will no doubt be in Arteta's mind for his Premier League plans soon.
Sunday’s match at Leeds was the first time he has featured in the league this season, but from his boss’ post-match quotes, he could be in line for a more prominent role in the future.
“He’s made some big steps in the last month or so. He’s shown what he can do,” Arteta said after the match.
“Again, he’s another player that wants to take you on all the time, he’s very vertical, he’s a great player when he runs in behind and he’s very unpredictable. I really like these types of players to play in the wide positions.
‘Defensively, there are things that he needs to do better and he will improve in that but he’s a much more mature player."
And Arteta also stated how pleased he was that Nelson decided to stay at the club rather than head out on loan this season.
Nelson made the loan move to Hoffenheim two years ago to aid his progression, but his determination to stay at the Emirates this time around has proved to his boss that he is ready to fight for his place.
Arteta said: “He showed a great attitude, in my opinion, to say that he didn’t want to leave on loan because he believes that he’s got a chance to play for this football club.
“He’s showing that he wants to take that direction. He’s performing in the right way.’
Balogun buzzing with first Gunners goal
November 26, 2020 will always have a special place in Folarin Balogun’s heart, after the young striker scored his first ever Arsenal goal on just his second appearance in the first team.The 19-year-old had only come onto the pitch seconds before adding the Gunners’ third of the night, as he picked up Emile Smith-Rowe's ball before turning and firing home.
The New York-born striker has been stalling over a new contract at the Emirates recently after a lack of game time but after two appearances in the Europa League, Arteta is hoping to keep him at the club for longer.
And the faith of his boss seems to be paying off for Balogun, who is now desperate to build on that maiden goal.
“It’s important that I keep working hard to enjoy more moments like this. I didn’t think that particular [break for the goal] was going to be my chance, but I always try to stay ready and I’m happy that on this occasion it paid off," said Balogun.
“It’s been good [to be involved], it’s nice to see the boss showing faith in me. It feels like this is good experience for me.
“I just need to keep on learning, keep on adding to my game and I’m happy that I could contribute here.”
