MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 05:16:48| >> :120:60725:60725:
[monks data]
Molde logo
Europa League | Group Stage
Nov 26, 2020 at 5.55pm UK
Aker Stadion
Arsenal logo

Molde
0 - 3
Arsenal

FT(HT: 0-0)
Pepe (50'), Nelson (55'), Balogun (83')

Nicolas Pepe will be handed another opportunity against Molde

The Ivory Coast forward is facing up to a three-match domestic ban following a red card against Leeds

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will hand Nicolas Pepe the chance for a swift redemption in the Europa League tie at Molde on Thursday.

Ivory Coast forward Pepe is facing up to a three-match domestic ban following a red card against Leeds, appearing to headbutt Ezgjan Alioski.

The Gunners boss branded Pepe's behaviour "unacceptable" following Sunday's goalless draw at Elland Road.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left less than impressed by Pepe's dismissal at Elland Road
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left less than impressed by Pepe's dismissal at Elland Road (Michael Regan/PA)

Arteta, though, rejected suggestions the 25-year-old – a £72million signing from Lille during August 2019 – would be frozen out of his plans.

"We have all had disappointing reactions in our playing careers," the Arsenal manager said ahead of the Europa League tie in Norway, where his team could secure qualification for the knockout stage.

"Obviously we were frustrated because when you play against a team like Leeds for a long time with 10 men, it makes a huge difference,"

"He had a really good reaction, the way he apologised, the way he understood his responsibility and hopefully tomorrow we can see the player that we want to see, and have a good reaction to help his team."

Arteta added: "No, it is absolutely not (the end of his Arsenal career after the red card). It's not about that and I don't like that type of statement.

"I will give Nico my full support all the time. He knows where he has to improve and we all know his qualities.

"He has some responsibility, I have a lot of responsibility, which is to get the best out of him and get the best position for him, the best areas where he can do what he can do with the ball.

"I cannot fault his effort at all. You see the way he strives for the team, the way he's working, it's been the best since he's been at the club.

"But there have been some aspects he can do better in because he has the ability. That's where I'm going to put the pressure on him to deliver what he can do. To say it's a threat for him to finish his (Arsenal) career, it is not at all like that.

"He has reacted the right way after that (sending off) and hopefully I can see a player that shows that every week.

"It is in his hands. He is a player I really like, that I know what he can give, and it is completely up to him."

Arsenal defender David Luiz has travelled to Norway after missing the Leeds game following the birth of his daughter.

However, Bukayo Saka and Willian both picked up injuries at Elland Road, so will be assessed ahead of Sunday's Premier League home game against Wolves.

Arsenal will secure qualification to the knockout stages of the Europa League with what would be a fourth successive Group B win.

Arteta, though, warned against complacency.

"They made it difficult for us in the first leg and tomorrow on an artificial pitch, it becomes different," he said.

"Molde are very dominant in the (Norwegian) league obviously and are so used to winning football matches. I expect them to have a real go.

"They were aggressive when they played against us in certain phases of our play, were organised, good on the the counter-attack and set-pieces as well.

"We want to be there, win the game and we know that will give us the qualification."

ID:423747: cacheID:423747:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:14583:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Sergio Ramos celebrates scoring for Real Madrid on November 3, 2020
Read Next:
Ramos 'yet to receive contract offer from Real Madrid'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
10am
Blanch
Nadal
10am
Cachin
Ofner
10am
Elahi Galan
Bautista-Agut
10am
Gasquet
Sonego
10am
Hanfmann
Mensik
10am
Koepfer
Carballes Baena
10am
Kovacevic
Medjedovic
10am
Lajovic
Monteiro
10am
Machac
Ruusuvuori
10am
Michelsen
Fonseca
10am
Nishioka
Auger-Aliassime
10am
O'Connell
Arnaldi
10am
Purcell
Giron
10am
Ramos-Vinolas
Kotov
10am
Tabilo
Cobolli
10am
Zhizhen
Kecmanovic
10am
Azarenka
Maria
10am
Eala
Cirstea
10am
Annie Fernandez
Potapova
10am
Gauff
Rus
10am
Keys
Camelia-Begu
10am
Podoroska
Navarro
10am
Karolina Schmiedlova
Jabeur
10am
Swiatek
Wang
10am
Baez
Van Assche
10am
Coric
Zverev
10am
Martin Etcheverry
Shapovalov
10am
Humbert
Van De Zandschulp
10am
Hurkacz
Draper
10am
Marozsan
Cerundolo
10am
Paul
Klein
10am
Rublev
Bagnis
10am
Altmaier
Fils
10am
Darderi
Fritz
10am
Griekspoor
Daniel
10am
Munar
Struff
10am
Musetti
Seyboth Wild
10am
Navone
Rune
10am
Shevchenko
Alcaraz
10am
Alexandrova
Krueger
10am
Andreeva
Noskova
10am
Bejlek
Kalinskaya
10am
Boulter
Montgomery
10am
Bronzetti
Rybakina
10am
Collins
Danilovic
3pm
Cristian
Krejcikova
10am
Dolehide
Kalinina
10am
Garcia
Wang
10am
Linette
Sabalenka
10am
Pavlyuchenkova
Saville
10am
Sorribes Tormo
Svitolina
10am
Vekic
Sakkari
11.30am
Arango
Yastremska
11.30am
Osaka
Samsonova
11.30am
Ostapenko
Bouzas Maneiro
1pm
Haddad Maia
Errani
2.30pm
Lourdes Carle
Kudermetova
2.30pm
Mertens
Stephens
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
QWest Ham650115
QFreiburg640212
3Olympiacos62137
4Backa Topola60151

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
QBrighton641113
QMarseille632111
3Ajax61235
4AEK Athens61144

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
QRangers632111
QSparta Prague631210
3Betis63039
4Aris Limassol61144

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
QAtalanta642014
QSporting Lisbon632111
3Sturm Graz61144
4Rakow61144

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
QLiverpool640212
QToulouse632111
3Union SG62228
4LASK61053

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
QVillarreal641113
QRennes640212
3M. Haifa61235
4Panathinaikos61144

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
QSlavia Prague650115
QRoma641113
3Servette61235
4Sheriff Tiraspol60151

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
QB. Leverkusen660018
QQarabag631210
3Molde62137
4Hacken60060


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!