Arsenal vs. Molde – Europa League, November 5, 2020

Arsenal and Molde will both be hoping to preserve their 100% Europa League records when the two sides clash at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday, November 5.

Both teams have picked up six points from their opening two games and sit joint-top of Group B, with Rapid Vienna and Dundalk trailing behind.

Keep reading to see my Arsenal vs. Molde prediction and betting pick.

As you can see, Arsenal (1.27) is the bookmakers’ clear favorite to win on Thursday. Of course, the Gunners are far stronger than Molde (8.75), so I’m not surprised by these odds.

But having claimed maximum points in the Europa League this season, Molde will surely fancy their chances of snatching a draw (6.00).

The Gunners haven’t really needed to break a sweat in the Europa League this term. Arsenal claimed a relatively straightforward 2-1 victory over Rapid Vienna on Matchday 1, before cruising past Dundalk 3-0 last week.

Mikel Arteta has used the Europa League as an opportunity to give his fringe players game-time, with Eddie Nketiah, Nicolas Pepe, and Joe Willock all scoring on Matchday 2. This has allowed the manager to keep his star performers fresh for EPL games.

Arsenal certainly looked fresh against Manchester United on Sunday. The Gunners were hardly challenged at Old Trafford as they secured a 1-0 victory, with star man Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ending the club’s away hoodoo against big six opponents.

Arteta’s men are only four points shy of frontrunner Liverpool, although the congested Premier League tables means they find themselves ninth. Still, Arsenal boasts the best defensive record in the division, so Molde’s forward line is likely to struggle on Thursday.

Let's keep the ball rolling! ✊

✅ #MUNARS pic.twitter.com/C10IbH7tZH

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 1, 2020

Prior to the start of the season, there is no denying that Arsenal was expected to win Group B, while Molde looked set for a tough challenge against Rapid Vienna to clinch the runner-up spot. However, the Norwegian side is already in firm control of second place.

Following a 2-1 victory over Dundalk on the opening day, Molde beat Rapid 1-0. After racking up 59% possession and 20 shots on Matchday 2, it’s fair to say that Erling Moe’s men thoroughly deserved the victory.

Molde heads into Thursday’s clash on a four-game winning streak in domestic competition. The Norwegians sit second in the Eliteserien, although they find themselves a whopping 16 points behind league-leader Bodo/Glimt.

With the domestic title seemingly out of reach, Moe will almost certainly be looking to go far in the Europa League. But Arsenal is arguably the toughest opponent in the tournament.

Sure, this price is nothing to get excited about. But when you consider the gulf in class between these two teams, odds of 1.27 for the Arsenal aren’t actually too bad.

I think Molde will be a tougher test than Rapid Vienna and Dundalk, but I’m still expecting the Gunners to claim all three points and maintain their 100% record in this year’s Europa League.