Arsenal Qualify For Europa League Knockout Stage With Win at Molde

Arsenal defeated Molde 3-0 in the UEFA Europa League match played on Thursday night to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition.

Arsenal’s Ivorian forward Nicolas Pepe, who got red-carded in Arsenal 0-0 against Leeds United in the Premier League on Sunday, got the game’s opening goal through a Joe Willock’s assist in the 50th minute.

English forward Reiss Nelson scored the second goal 5 minutes later before Folarin Balogun scored his first Arsenal goal in stoppage time.

It is the fourth win in four matches so far for the Gunners in the competition as they have 12 points from four matches, having scored 12 times and conceded twice.

Molde has 6 points in 4 matches as they sit in 2nd while Rapid Wien tare in third above Dundalk, who are pointless in the group.

Arsenal’s next Europa League match is against Rapid Wien next week after a league match against Wolves at the weekend in the Premier League.

Other Premier League sides in the Europa League on Thursday were Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

The Foxes drew 3-3 with Braga in Portugal; Harvey Barnes, Luke Thomas, and Jamie Vardy all scored as Leicester City came from behind three times to hold the Portuguese to a draw.

Irrespective of the draw, Leicester City are top of their group with 10 points from 4 matches, Braga are second with 7 points.

Jamie Vardy’s 95th-minute equalizer ensured that they don’t have to wait until the next matchday before securing their qualification into the round of 32 of the competition.

Leicester benefited from Zorya Luhansk’s 3-0 win over AEK Athens means neither of the two teams can overtake the 2016 Premier League Champions on the table.

Tottenham Hotspur also defeated Ludogorets at the White Hart Lane Stadium, but they are not assured of qualification yet.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu