For some reason I thought Molde was in Belgium. It’s not. Perhaps I was thinking of Mol.
In fact it is in Norway and, although I have never been, it looks like a spectacularly beautiful place.
It is most famous for the stunning Atlantic Ocean Road and Bolsøy Bridge which takes traffic across the Bolsøysund Strait via a succession of small islands.
We can never take anything for granted in football, but facing the Arsenal in North London should be a bridge too far for Molde FK.
Not that they will lack confidence: they beat Celtic in Scotland to qualify for the EL group stages, they won away in Dundalk and beat Rapid Vienna one-nil at home.
They were Norwegian champions last season and are sitting second in the current campaign, but the quality of our squad should see us comfortably through.
Their danger man is Ohi Omoijuanfo, but he is returning from injury and may not start.
The match is another opportunity for El Patron to put some of the peripheral players through their paces.
We should see starts for Pepe, Willock, Ceballos and Nketiah, although our injury problems at centre back will again limit our options.
We have six points out of six so far and we should expect that to be nine from nine later tonight.
My predicted line-up:
Runarsson
Soares – Mustafi – Holding – Kolasinac
Willock – Ceballos – Xhaka
Pepe – Nketiah – Nelson
RockyLives
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Looks nice Rocky, Shame it can’t be visited at the moment…
Nelson is out with a knee injury ☹ Would love to see ESR & Balogun at some point.
Bar Nelson, I reckon your line up is sound, Rocky 👍 COYG
@RA I’m intrigued about Chas & Duck being younger brothers to LBG. It’s like an episode of Soap (does anybody remember that?)
Why would anybody move to Nottingham unless you’re Brian Clough?
LBG is clearly a local Sun around whom lots of different folk orbit.
Wasn’t LBG the manager of Matt Bianco, or was that somebody else on here?
Anyway getting banned from Untold should be a badge of honour. Well done Sir!
Hi Rocky,
Thank you for the Post.
I have been to Norway several times as a tourist, and it’s definitely a lovely country.
I had never heard of Molde nor its amazing Bolsøy bridge, until we were drawn against them in the Europa.
Your update on Molde’s success’ against Celtic et al might change my mind about it being an easy game for the Gunners.
Hi Pete,
I only know the Vine Bros from their time on AA, and you can probably guess that I really like them — so LGB is the only one with the answers to your questions, if he wants to do so. 😁
I only know Matt Bianco (the band) – but any connection to an AAer is unknown to moi.
Evening all.
I’ve never been to Norway either apart from one ill-fated attempt to fly to Tromso for a weekend of viewing the Northern Lights.
Flight from Luton, got to Tromso, couldn’t land because of a blizzard (although made a couple of hair-raising attempts), flew south to Stavanger, kept us on the plane on the tarmac two hours, then flew us back to Luton.
Luton to Luton in a day, via Tromso and Stavanger.
Aurora borealis?
Aurora bollix more like.
We’re fine RA, thanks for the recollections. No matches to go to at the moment!
Leno; Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Luiz, Kolasinac; Ceballos, Xhaka, Willock; Willian, Nketiah, Pepe
Still waiting for the photos of Fred and Gunnersaurus!
Interesting that Leno starts.
Hi Ant,
That is a very happy ‘photo of you and Chas, and brings back happy memories of you two en route to games!! 😁 👍
Pete said he did not know why anyone would want to live in Nottingham — but he did not know you have been elected as the Sheriff, and Chas is now Robin the Hood.
You two get all the girls!! 😜
Rocky,
I think my very rare prediction of the team roster earlier was spot on — just saying. 😎
Ant,
Are you going to give your opinion of tonight’s game – in a comment, maybe, or a Post — even better. 😛
Thank you, Rocky. COYG
Old is Gold. 🙂
hmmm
Mikel looks cross
ok, good, needed that
Don’t care that it was an own goal — it still counts.
Got to say that was pretty mouldy – by our team.😩
Fast, first-time passing is what we need.
When we do it we open them up. When we dwell on the ball and take too many touches we get ensnared.
Did Ceballos play in that half?
I was impressed with Eddie – some excellent runs, scored a goal that prob should have been allowed and had the assist for our equalizer
Anyone want to do a match report?
Speed of thought, speed of action!
……Luiz, Mustafi, Ceballos, Xhaka……is it a coincidence?
The second was going in one way or another!
Two for OG – it’s just like having Giroud back
Brilliant Saka and Pepe
I feel like if Pepe had a dating profile then he’d be one of them women who look stunning with filters but then they turn up for the date and she’s called Steve.
ha ha, Slim
What about Saka and his assists? Class.
Impression from commentary is Joe Willock has played big part in everything positive from Arsenal tonight. Do the watchers agree?
So two disallowed goals from Eddie ( and one that should have been allowed?). Unlucky lad, but at least you are there on the end of the chances.
LBG – he was certainly instrumental in making the first two Arsenal goals happen.
All round play? Not bad.
Eddie had a decent outing.
LBG,
He does so many good things but you can tell he’s not quite ready yet. His decision making and goals/assists record need to improve and then suddenly we have a real player on our hands.
When you consider the likes of Havertz, Haaland, Mbappe are a similar age then you can see that he needs improvement.
I really like him but he must score or create more to be worthy of first team football
Pepe goal and an assist!
I think the most important thing today was Artetas coat….
Disgrace.
FGG 😀
Didn’t look warm enough for one thing
Pepe was decisive and yet so frustrating. I think Arteta will pull his ears despite the goal and assist.
not talking about today, but really impressed how quickly Saka has developed.
left flank did not quite work out today. but good result in teh end, so not complaining
A case of job done. We should comfortably top the group, although based on tonight Molde won’t be a pushover in Norway
Elneny really has given a whole new meaning to ‘Movember’ 😁
Job done, thanks to Molde too for both goals! Sitting pretty at the top of the group… well done, fellas!
Roll on Sunday…Villa await…
RA.. Keepy-uppies? Me?! 😄😄
RC.. Yes, looking like Tuchel’s days are numbered… it’s all gone pete tong… rather like a Norwegian PE teacher in the premier league 😉
Der — “I’m provident” [above] should be “the improving Joe Willock” —- my computer does not like me either. 🥺
At first sight I was impressed with Arteta’s coat, on closer examination I noticed it had combat shading which left me unsure………..
There should definitely be a coat rating…
I would give it a 6 for warmth.
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