Morning all.
Molde FK, one of Norway’s top flight football clubs. Four time League Champions in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2019. Norwegian FA Cup winners in 1994, 2005, 2013 and 2014. The only Norwegian club to have taken part in the Champions League. Ole Gunnar Solskjær both played for and managed them. Thanks Wiki.
The only football fixture and result of any significance to Arsenal and it’s fans is their Europa Cup fixtures this season. The first was a 2-1 away win against Dundalk, the second a 1-0 defeat of Rapid Vienna. Rapid Vienna were expected to be the toughest fixture for Arsenal in this group but perhaps that’s not to be the case. Perhaps tonight’s opponents will prove to be a tougher challenge.
Mikel Arteta:
Their strengths are that they work really well as a team. They are a really strong, physical team. They are really well organised. I would say defensively, they are really hard to beat when they get in this middle-low block. They have some creative players who are dangerous in the final third and they’re a real threat on set-pieces as well. The table now is really tight, we’ve both won both games so it will probably the most difficult game that we’ve played so far in the competition.
This what football is about, especially the Europa Cup. ‘Smaller’ clubs are in the mix but many of them have a big attitude and sometimes that can cause an upset. 11-16 players who give 100% from start to finish can often be more successful on any one night than a group of overpaid egos who think they only have to turn up to win.
There’s no chance of any Arsenal players approaching this game tonight thinking it’s already won. Mikel Arteta will make sure of that. Regardless of who plays, they’ll be drilled and ready for the challenge ahead.
Joe Willock was present at Mikel Arteta’s press conference yesterday so he’s bound to start but as for the rest, who knows but I’d imagine the squad will look similar to the one which defeated Dundalk.
I hope we see more of the younger players. The energy and enthusiasm they bring. Their directness too with Nelson and Willock unafraid to run at defenders. We just have to be careful at the back though. No giving away silly fouls in dangerous areas as Molde have a big strong striker in Ohi Omoijuanfo. All 6’ 2” of him is dangerous. Arsenal too have a big old unit up front if Mikel Arteta opts to play him. Folarin Balogun, who came on from the bench in our last Europa League fixture. It’s hard to believe our American centre forward has been at Arsenal for nine years now. David Luiz is back fit, Mustafi is available and I expect Xhaka and Ceballos will at least be in the squad. Cedric, Kolasinac, Willian, Pepe, Runarsson and Eddie too. ESR if he’s fit.
Our second string should have enough in them to send Molde back to Norway with nothing.
See you in the comments guys.
Good morning Rico, middle low block? What the h**l is that?
Morning Cicero, no idea. A mini bus instead of a 42 seater perhaps. 😂
Saka and AMN called up for the England squad.
These 2 games against Molde are crucial, especially after they beat Rapid Vienna last week,win them both and top spot in the group is pretty much decided.Then Molde and Rapid can fight out 2/3rd, Dundalk will probably finish pointless unfortunately. I’d still expect a tough game though.
Enjoyable hopefully, I find these games much more fun than the league.
COYG
Evening anyone… lol
Ditto Limey. I really enjoy watching the younger guys play. I guess it’s the expectation.
Not long to the teams being announced and we will see who gets to play.
My friends in Norway reckon that this lot are no pushovers and rate the right back Risa and have listed Gregerson a 6 foot 3 centre back ,Ekrem a midfielder that makes them tick alongside Aursnes and a young winger Brynhildsen who they say will keep our right back busy.
Interestingly they did not pinpoint a striker but they have scored 57 goals in 23 games with their two listed forwards having scored 7 and 9 respectively seems that they score from set pieces and from midfield .
I hope it wont be tough but I think it might be.
PPV fixtures are being scrapped after this weekends fixtures. Shame it’s not from now as our match against Villa is PPV.
I think it’ll be tough too. Sounds like Cedric might be in for a busy night..
Leno
Maitland-Niles
Mustafi
Luiz
Kolasinac
Willian
Ceballos
Xhaka
Pepe
Willock
Nketiah
Bellerin
Tierney
Gabriel
Saka
Lacazette
Runarsson
Aubameyang
Holding
Cedric
Partey
Elneny
Macey
Morning all.
We should be winning comfortably.
Have you read up on Molde Scott? 😂
Is Nelson injured ?
Two goalkeepers on the bench? What’s that all about?
Rico, WHO???
🙂
Must be injured, great shame after Nelson’s previous performance.
I take it that’s a no then Scott.
It’s a no hahahaha
Surprised Leno is starting.
Nothing about Nelson being injured on afc.com.
Commentator just said ‘a minor knock’.
Mikel looks like he’s wearing a bin bag. 😂
Matches his hair….
Pepe is having a shocker.
Well, if that was the second eleven the first team must be phenomenal! Or, not.
Good result, fair performance, never really in doubt.
Willock m o m again?
Roll on Sunday and we go again, but who will be playing from tonight’s team I wonder?
Molde made us work for it and it was good to see the application . Willock stood out but my bet of 3 -1 Willock first goal nearly came off.
Work got in the way of watching, but was it a decent enough performance?
First half turgid, second half, quicker more direct and obviously more productive. So, yes, but it took a while to find the ‘speedy’ option.
They were good but not the ‘tasty cigar’ until the ,Ono was sort of found.
Good result but, after all it was the second eleven, mostly.
Not the whole cigar, and until they found their mojo…..
Cheers Wavy.
New post up now