Arsenal reached the halfway point of the Europa League group stage with a 100% winning record after benefiting from two own goals against reigning Norwegian champions Molde.
For the second time in three Group B games, the Gunners had to come from behind after Martin Ellingsen beat Bernd Leno from 25 yards following a superb pass by former Manchester United reserve player Magnus Wolff Eikrem.
With no video assistant referee system in operation, Eddie Nketiah had what looked like a legal goal disallowed for offside before Arsenal equalised at the end of the first half.
Kristoffer Haugen put past his own keeper while trying to intercept Nketiah’s pass to Joe Willock before Sead Kolasinac blazed a great chance over the bar.
The Gunners took the lead when Molde substitute Sheriff Sinyan turned Willock’s pass across the six-yard area into his own net.
Substitute Bukayo Saka picked out Pepe to make it 3-1 before Willock added a late fourth goal, Arsenal three points clear at the top of the group with three games remaining.
Willock and Nketiah shine for Gunners
Arsenal, with two games to spare, could secure a place in the last 32 of the competition with victory in the return fixture in Norway on 26 November.
Mikel Arteta has now seen his side win three successive games in all competitions since they were undone by Leicester’s counter-attack last month.
Despite falling behind, Arsenal were able to brush aside their opponents without the need to bring on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette or Thomas Partey.
Arteta was all smiles at the end, fist-bumping Willock on the pitch after the full-time whistle with the 21-year-old’s hunger and desire helping his side to an important win.
The Gunners had fallen behind after failing to close down Ellingsen, whose excellent strike had Molde dreaming of one of the greatest results in their history.
It was the wake-up call the hosts needed, Arteta’s side playing with a higher intensity after equalising.
Arsenal’s future looks in good hands, Nketiah also impressing with his speed and work-rate while substitute Saka played a highly-intelligent pass to pick out Pepe for his goal.
What’s next?
Arsenal are in Premier League action on Sunday when Aston Villa visit London (19:15 GMT).
More to follow.
Player of the match
WillockJoseph Willock
Molde
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Squad number11Player nameEllingsen
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Squad number1Player nameLinde
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Squad number30Player nameBolly
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Squad number7Player nameWolff Eikrem
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Squad number16Player nameHussain
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Squad number22Player nameBrynhildsen
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Squad number10Player nameJames
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Squad number6Player nameGregersen
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Squad number28Player nameHaugen
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Squad number20Player nameWingo
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Squad number17Player nameAursnes
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Squad number2Player nameBjørnbak
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Squad number14Player nameKnudtzon
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Squad number99Player nameOmoijuanfo
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Squad number5Player nameSinyan
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Squad number9Player nameMoström
Line-ups
Arsenal
- 1Leno
- 15Maitland-NilesSubstituted forCédric Soaresat 63′minutes
- 20Mustafi
- 23David LuizBooked at 58mins
- 31Kolasinac
- 34XhakaSubstituted forTierneyat 80′minutes
- 8CeballosSubstituted forElnenyat 80′minutes
- 12WillianSubstituted forSakaat 64′minutesBooked at 77mins
- 28Willock
- 19Pépé
- 30Nketiah
Substitutes
- 2BellerÃn
- 3Tierney
- 6dos Santos Magalhães
- 7Saka
- 9Lacazette
- 13Rúnarsson
- 14Aubameyang
- 16Holding
- 17Cédric Soares
- 18Partey
- 25Elneny
- 33Macey
Molde
- 1Linde
- 20Wingo
- 2Bjørnbak
- 6GregersenSubstituted forSinyanat 45′minutes
- 28Haugen
- 17Aursnes
- 16Hussain
- 11EllingsenSubstituted forMoströmat 86′minutes
- 7Wolff EikremSubstituted forBrynhildsenat 74′minutes
- 30BollySubstituted forKnudtzonat 63′minutes
- 99OmoijuanfoSubstituted forJamesat 74′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Risa
- 5Sinyan
- 9Moström
- 10James
- 12Craninx
- 14Knudtzon
- 15Christensen
- 22Brynhildsen
- 26Ranmark
- 27Holmgren Pedersen
Live Text
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Match ends, Arsenal 4, Molde 1.
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Second Half ends, Arsenal 4, Molde 1.
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Foul by Sead Kolasinac (Arsenal).
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Ola Brynhildsen (Molde) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) header from very close range misses to the left.
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Goal! Arsenal 4, Molde 1. Joseph Willock (Arsenal) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Nicolas Pépé.
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Attempt missed. Joseph Willock (Arsenal) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Kieran Tierney following a corner.
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Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Henry Wingo.
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Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Dangerous play by Kristoffer Haugen (Molde).
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Substitution, Molde. Mattias Kent Moström replaces Martin Ellingsen.
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Corner, Molde. Conceded by David Luiz.
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Attempt blocked. Leke James (Molde) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Etzaz Hussain.
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Offside, Arsenal. Eddie Nketiah tries a through ball, but Bukayo Saka is caught offside.
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Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Martin Ellingsen (Molde).
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Kieran Tierney (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Ola Brynhildsen (Molde).
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Offside, Arsenal. Cédric Soares tries a through ball, but Bukayo Saka is caught offside.
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Attempt blocked. Cédric Soares (Arsenal) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Nicolas Pépé.
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