Arsenal travelled to Spain to take on Sevilla in a Champions League group stage match on Tuesday evening.
Mikel Arteta won’t love everything he saw from his side tonight, but Arsenal ultimately did enough to earn a 2-1 win against a fired-up Sevilla.
A staid first half was low on chances. Arsenal were largely in control, but lacked any cutting edge. The hosts might have gone ahead when Youssef En-Nesyri found himself through on goal with only David Raya to beat, but his effort flashed just wide.
The first half looked destined to end goalless. Then, in the dying seconds of the half, the Gunners conjured a flash of quality on the break. Gabriel Jesus executed a delightful turn inside the Arsenal half before releasing Gabriel Martinelli who showed great composure to finish on his Champions League debut.
Arteta must have delivered a barnstorming team talk as Arsenal started the second half brilliantly, capped off by Jesus’ spectacular goal. However, the hosts hit back via a Nemanja Gudelj header.
Arsenal had to cling on at the end but managed to get over the line at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.
Arsenal player ratings
David Raya – 7/10
After a difficult outing against Chelsea, the pressure was on Raya tonight. One loose pass in the first half saw the home crowd get on his back. He was solid for the rest of the match.
Ben White – 6.5/10
Was tested defensively but coped, without being able to get forward as effectively as usual.
William Saliba – 7/10
Another solid display from the impressive Frenchman.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 7/10
Like Saliba, Gabriel was strong defensively as the Gunners were forced to weather a Spanish storm.
Takehiro Tomiyasu – 7.5/10
Arguably the Gunners’ best player in the first half. Arteta’s faith in the £19.8 million defender was rewarded as he popped up everywhere on the pitch, emulating Oleksandr Zinchenko’s modus operandi admirably, whilst still staying solid defensively.
Jorginho – 6.5/10
Tidy as ever in possession, but conservative. Arsenal need the 31-year-old to provide more penetration with his passes.
Martin Odegaard – 6/10
The Arsenal club captain struggled to impose himself in the first half. Martin Odegaard had a glorious opportunity just after the break, but lashed the ball over the bar. The £30 million former Real Madrid man looks a little low on confidence at the moment.
Declan Rice – 8/10
Excellent again in the middle of the park, helping out defensively and producing a number of driving forward runs on the ball to drag Arsenal up the pitch.
Bukayo Saka – 6.5/10
Got kicked around a lot, as per usual. Showed flashes of quality but Bukayo Saka couldn’t quite execute the final touch tonight.
Gabriel Martinelli – 7.5/10
Had a chance early in the first half when he might have rounded the goalkeeper, but didn’t. When he found himself one-on-one with the ‘keeper again just before the break, the £180,000-a-week star skipped around his opponent in style before rolling the ball home.
Gabriel Jesus – 8/10
A difficult first half was elevated in an instant by the role Jesus played in setting up the first goal. The Brazilian was brilliant in the second half, conjuring a wonderful finish for Arsenal’s second goal. He answered some of his critics tonight.
Came off with a knock which Arteta will desperately hope isn’t serious.
Substitutes
Kai Havertz – 6.5/10
Eddie Nketiah – 6/10
Leandro Trossard – 6/10
Jakub Kiwior – 6/10
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