After falling to a slender defeat in Lens last time out in the UEFA Champions League, Arsenal would look to return to winning ways on European soil as they faced Sevilla at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán on Tuesday.
SEV: Nyland; Acuña, Ramos, Gudelj, Navas; Sow, Soumaré; Ocampos, Rakitic, Lukebakio; En-Nesyri
ARS: Raya; Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Saliba, White; Rice, Jorginho, Ødegaard; Martinelli, Jesus, Saka
Arsenal took a one-goal lead into half-time, courtesy of Gabriel Martinelli. Latching onto to Gabriel Jesus’ fantastic ball forwards, the Brazilian showed skill to dance around the Sevilla goalkeeper and dispatch an effort into the back of the net – deep in stoppage time.
Having registered the assist for the opener, Gabriel Jesus netted a goal of his own at the start of the second half, picking out the top corner with a sublime strike that left Nyland unable to make the save.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut Arsenal’s lead looked set to slip when Nemanja Gudelj headed home to reduce the deficit – and as the Spanish side continued to mount pressure, David Raya was called upon frequently to deny the relentless waves of attack.
Mikel Arteta’s side were then dealt an injury blow in the closing stages, with Gabriel Jesus hobbling off with a suspected hamstring injury. Three points moves the Gunners to the top of Group B, ahead of the return leg on 8 November.