Arsenal take on Norwegian side Molde in the Europa League at the Emirates this evening.
As usual there’s rotation – here are tonight’s official line-ups.
Arsenal: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Luiz, Kolasinac, Willian, Xhaka, Ceballos, Pepe, Willock, Nketiah.
Subs: Runarsson, Macey, Bellerin, Tierney, Gabriel, Saka, Lacazette, Aubameyang, Holding, Partey, Cedric, Elneny
Molde: Linde, Wingo, Bjornbak, Gregersen, Haugen, Hussain, Wolff Elkrem, Aursnes, Bolly, Ellingsen, Omojuanfo
Subs: Craninx, Ranmark, Risa, Sinyan, Mostrom, James, Knudzton, Christensen, Bryhildsen, Pedersen
COYG
Seriously. Who is downvoting this?
Probably a Sp*rs fan who doesn’t want to see the fireworks because it’ll just remind them of the time they made the Champions League final and bottled it…
Good to see Willock there. A good chance for Pepe as well – he needs to take it with both hands if possible. On the (potentially) negative side, Mustafi is in the heart of the defence but you never know he could play a blinder. We really need a good win against Molde to follow up from Old Trafford and build on the confidence that we got from that. Fingers crossed.
Strange that Runarsson wouldn’t get the nod at home. You’ve got to be unhappy if you’re Cedric too.
Willian’s inclusion means we could see Auba / Laca / Saka at the weekend. I like the sound of that!
Yeah, I don’t see the point of risking Leno. Shame Nelson is missing.
This is in no way a slight on Leno, just a general comment, but amazing how little he’s been tested in the last few games. That’s new!
Looks like the step up between dundalk and molde is too much for runarsson! Come on….really? If you want to play your number one throughout then go for it but to play runarsson against the perceived weakest team in the last match and then leave him out now just suggests you don’t think he’s up to it. Can we at least give our new players the opportunity to prove their worth or lack of it prior to sending out the message to them that ‘we don’t rate you’. Seriously, set your rules and standards but let’s treat players equally. A… Read more »
If Runarsson plays this game and we lose, he’ll be less likely to play in the forthcoming group games. However if Leno plays this one and we win, Runarsson would probably play most of the upcoming group games, especially if we have already booked our place in the next round. But more to the point, if you are going to second guess the manager, at least try and think like one!
Hehe Bergcape, I wish I had bawls as big as yours 👍👍
Runarsson doesn’t appear to be ready. Today there is a video clip on the official website that focused on the keepers training. He was consistently the last one getting to the ball. I wonder if he was rusty or just lack of physical strength. But it’s too bad we have to risk Leno for this game.
What in the bloody hell happened to Nelson and why is Cedric on the bench?
Because Arteta knows
Cos AMN is better..
I think AMN is closer to the main XI (position is debatable) and needs game time.
I think he is injured
I thought smith-rowe was fit to play this time round too. I guess their ‘transitional season’ begins next year. Do we really need saka auba and laca to all come on if things aren’t going well, to the point that one of those other young talents can’t be given a game. It’s like they’re regarded as players with nothing to offer. 2 seasons ago Nelson was able to contribute goals in the german top tier. He’s scored goals and played decent games in the premier league. Now deemed not good enough to come on at any point against molde. I… Read more »
Bro… He’s injured! Shame, because he had a good game against Dundalk and would been nice to see if he could keep that going.
Cedric is rested for sunday
It’s hard work sitting on the bench this often…
I’d tale rhe job. Keep my head down. Shrink my body into a cacoon and hope mikel doesnt notice me. Oops. I called him mikel.
Maybe he is playing on Sunday since Willian is playing tonight.
Anyone knows what happened to the Guardian?
There been not Arsenal post since we beat Man Utd.
They are too busy trying to work out why flower pots are racist.
Only football please.
we had enough of that shite for the last team news.
Good point. Just can’t help myself sometimes…!
Sick of politics. It’s shit.
Nelson injured?
Yes
Boo
What does Riess Nelson have to do? He was exciting against Dundalk. Great shame
He’s injured which is a shame.
Where’s Nelson? Other than that I like the makeup of this squad a lot. Strong, with players chomping at the bit to impress after being on the bench(Xhaka, Pepe) and young talent being given a chance to impress (Eddie, Willock) – I note here that if Nelson is fit, we may see him start this weekend – and overall doesn’t feel too much like a Team A and B situation.
Comfortable win.
This lineup and bench is far to strong imo. We’re sitting on six points and have the group locked up. No need for Leno, Gabriel, Auba, bellering, partey, tierney, elneny to be in the squad let alone the bench
it’s a home game so no travel. Guess better safe than sorry til through
We needed them against Rapid.
Guess you get it done tonight and the rest of the group you can rotate everything
Nonsense. We will only have the group wrapped up if we beat Molde twice in the next two matches and Dundalk take at least one point against Vienna in match day 4.
what was the point of signing Cedric when AMN is already around? Means one of them can’t even start for this kind of match
Thinking was probably that he no longer would be after the summer. Still doesn’t explain the fact it was a 4 year deal he got…
I have to think that the expectation at that point was that AMN would be leaving. All indications were pointing that direction, so who knows what happened (Arteta used him, for one). To me, Cedric seems fine as a backup to Bellerin, but of course now he’s redundant (even though he can’t be made redundant).
In Jan maybe. But by the summer, when we confirmed the four year deal, AMN looked like he was staying…
And why did we sign Mari?
Some fun names in the Molde side!
Omojuanfo
Wingo Bolly Omojuanfo
Is this a 4-3-3?
Leno
Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Luiz, Kolasinac
Xhaka, Ceballos, Willock
Pepe, Nketiah, Willian
I think maybe 3-4-3 w Xhaka dropping in at LCB so Kolasinac isn’t isolated defensively. Ceballos and Willock in midfield. Our usual hybrid that changes with and without the ball.
Anyone know what is the situation with Smith-Rowe? Talented player but thought was for again
When is ESR going to get a chance to play?? Shame not to see Balogun again as well
He’s not match fit apparently.
Strong bench, would like to have seen more of Balaguan though. Hopefully a win tonight and the next leg, we can give some more of the youngsters some game time.
I wish he’d play more kids and include Nelson (if not injured). Kolasinac, Mustafi, Willian and Xhaka make up almost half of the team. Uninspiring. Not expecting fireworks tonight (excuse the pun)
I’m searching desperately for the pun
The kids will play once we’ve wrapped up qualification, which we can’t do today because there was a result in the Vienna/Dundalk match. However, if we win today it would take a miracle for Vienna and Molde to both pass us.
2 keepers on the bench?
I don’t get that! Why not give that place to say, Balogun? Boy is about to leave and we don’t even let him be involved.
Would like to be a fly on the wall when these things are discussed because to me it makes no sense.
Blow out, in comes Runarsson. Otherwise cross my fingers no injury to Len.
Truly that is a weird one.
Arsenal have registered 5 GK…
I’ve seen it suggested that because the first team GKs train together, they would all be forced to isolate if one of them tests positive. So U-23 squad GKs were registered in case that happened.
Fuck knows why Leno is starting and we have 2 keepers on the bench though
Two GKs on the bench, but no Balogun. Arteta out
No nelson or balagon
No Nelson?
Mickey Larteta playing the young ones. Lol
I love Arteta but that coat…
Linesman – There’s something wrong with my headpiece.
Referee – What’s the problem?
Linesman – Usually it plays “the linesman is a wanker” all match but all I can hear tonight is a Spanish guy shouting “Dani! Dani! Dani!”
Great goal by them
But wtf is Pepe doing… So much talent so little end product… Sad really
It’s the absolute basics he doesn’t get right. 1st touch, timing and accuracy of passing, body positioning. His balance is soooo poor, incredibly easy to knock off the ball. Slow to react and indecisive as hell, nothing seems to be automatic for him.
He’s like a particularly talented amateur parachuted directly into the elite level
Exactly, 1 moment of brilliance and 90min of awful is what you get from him…
Decent 2nd half tbf
My god this is dreadful.
That is one of the most hilarious counter-attacking goals I’ve seen. And to think if their corner kick was 30 seconds later, the own goal wouldn’t have happened.
Hope the 2nd half is better.
Where’s Reiss Nelson?
That’s a very uninteresting bench. No kids, not even Balogun or ESR, weird. Hope the next 3 games in this competition are a bit more experimental