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Football London
Football London
Sport
Archie Griggs

Arsenal get a glimpse of the future as academy graduates dominate Europa League squad

No less than eight academy graduates were selected by Mikel Arteta to travel with the squad to Norway for Thursday's 3-0 victory at Molde.

Nicolas Pepe and Reiss Nelson put the Gunners ahead in the second half before youngster Folarin Balogun scored his first senior goal for the club during the closing stages.

Arteta decided to ring the changes for Thursday's fixture, making eight alterations to his starting side from Sunday's disappointing draw against Leeds United.

Mikel Arteta speaks after Arsenal beat Molde 3-0

The introductions of Balogun, Miguel Azeez, Emile Smith Rowe and Ben Cottrell to the bench brought the total number of academy graduates in the matchday squad up to eight.

The longest-serving player of the eight in question is Joe Willock, who began attending the Hale End academy at the age of just four with his older brother Chris, now at Queens Park Rangers.

England under-21 record goalscorer Eddie Nketiah was the most recent of the group to join the youth setup in north London, signing as a 15-year-old after he was released by Chelsea five years ago.

Thursday's impressive result saw Arsenal secure qualification for the Europa League's knockout stages, likely as group winners given the goal difference.

The Gunners will return to domestic action on Sunday evening with a tough test against Wolves at the Emirates Stadium.

They will be looking to turn their fortunes around in front of goal, with Arteta's side having failed to score from open play in the Premier League since the beginning of October.

Arsenal will be without Thursday's goalscorer Pepe for the match after he was sent off for headbutting Leeds United's Ezgjan Alioski last time out.

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