Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla: What Were The Key Talking Points As Arsenal Take A Giant Step To The Champions League Knockout Stage?

Excited to turn their attention back to Champions League action on Wednesday night, Arsenal took a giant leap towards the knockout stage as they landed a routine 2-0 victory against Sevilla.

While the Gunners might have opened their European return in the midst of a minor domestic rut, Mikel Arteta’s side hardly had to get out of third gear in north London.

Opening the scoring on the half-hour mark as Leandro Trossard swept home and notched his second Champions League goal of the season, Arsenal now find themselves sat in pole position to cruise their way out of Group B.

With England international Bukayo Saka doubling the Gunners’ lead midway through the second-half, Areat’s side couldn’t have wished for a more routine contest in the English capital.

Offering just a single shot on target at the Emirates on Wednesday night and in the midst of an extended rut, Sevilla certainly find mounting pressure on their shoulders.

Without a single Champions League victory from their first four attempts, the Spanish outfit are clearly dealing with a string of issues both on and off the pitch.

On a night when Arsenal widened their buffer at the top of the Group B standings to four points, we have taken a glance at the key talking points from north London.

Arsenal make another Champions League statement

Left furious last weekend as they eventually fell to a hugely controversial 1-0 loss away Newcastle, Arsenal were certainly relieved to turn their attention back to Champions League duties here.

Making real history last season as they cruised their way to a top-four finish, Arteta’s budding squad have their sights firmly set on mounting a genuine European charge this time around.

Now mustering nine points from their first four Champions League appearances this season, the Gunners couldn’t have wished for a more routine outing on Wednesday night.

Not having to get out of third gear here and dominating from the opening whistle, Arteta’s squad will take away a string of positives away from a dominant performance in north London.

Holding a commanding four-point buffer at the top of the Group B standings heading into their final two showdowns, Arsenal will simply be looking to extend on their recent charge and avoid another late collapse at the final hurdle.

Arteta has a mounting headache over his injury concerns

While Arteta might have been overjoyed by another eye-catching Champions League appearance on Wednesday night, the ex-Manchester City coach will have a mounting headache over his side’s mounting injury list.

With both Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey suffering respective injury set-backs last month, Arteta now has some serious squad juggling to do over the next few weeks.

Expected to be without summer recruit Jurrien Timber for the remainder of the season, there is also mounting concerns over Martin Odegaard’s recent hip injury.

With Arteta admitting prior to Wednesday’s showdown that he was ‘worried’ over when he will have his skipper back, it remains to be seen if the ex-Real Madrid starlet will feature against Burnley this weekend.

With England international Eddie Nketiah also missing out on Wednesday night and forced to watch on from the sidelines, Arteta will know that his fringe stars must be firing on all cylinders and pounce on their opportunities.

Sevilla’s nightmare continues

While Sevilla might have made even more Europa League history last season, it is no secret that Wednesday’s guests are in the midst of a public crisis.

Dealing with a string of issues both on and off the pitch, Los Nervionenses are certainly seeking a real Champions League miracle if they’re to follow Arsenal out of Group B this year.

Although Sevilla might have turned to former Uruguay boss Diego Alonso back in October in an attempt to steady the sip, the Andalusia-based outfit have come under a huge amount of scrutiny.

Despite extending on their Copa del Rey adventure earlier in the month as they secured a 3-0 victory away at sixth-tier outfit Quintanar de la Orden, that is the only win that Sevilla have claimed from their previous eight appearances across all competitions.

Mustering just a pair of points from their first four Group B contests this season, Los Nervionenses are looking over their shoulder at a looming La Liga relegation scrap.

Match Report

Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliva, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Havertz, Jorginho, Rice, Saka, Trossard, Martinelli

Subs: Kiwior, Nelson, Vieira, Elneny, Zinchenko

Sevilla: Dmitrovic, Sanchez, Bade, Gudelj, Salas, Fernando, Jordan, Lamela, Sow, Pedrosa, En Nesyri

Subs: Soumare, Rakitic, Ocampos, Nianzou, Diaz

Goals: Trossard (29’), Saka (64’)

Yellow Cards: Arsenal: Rice, Zinchenko – Sevilla: Ocampos, Sanchez, Soumare

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Istvan Kovacs