Arsenal is preparing to face Sevilla in a decisive Champions League showdown at the Emirates Stadium after their unbeaten Premier League streak was broken. A win against Sevilla could secure Arsenal’s path to the knockout rounds with two games to spare, making this Group B contest a must-watch.
So, in this blog post Sportonpoint is going to take a look into the match preview, both teams news, possible starting lineup, and prediction as well.
Arsenal vs. Sevilla: Match Preview, Predictions, and Lineups
Match Preview
After an impressive unbeaten streak in the Premier League, Arsenal is preparing to face Sevilla in a crucial Champions League match at the Emirates Stadium. This encounter comes on the heels of Arsenal’s defeat in the Premier League, a result that put an end to their 11-game undefeated run. The match against Sevilla in Group B promises to be a defining moment in Arsenal’s European campaign.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, did not hold back in expressing his discontent with the level of officiating in the Premier League. His frustration reached a boiling point after a contentious match against Newcastle United. Arsenal faced multiple questionable decisions, including Kai Havertz and Bruno Guimaraes narrowly avoiding red cards. The controversy continued with an Anthony Gordon winner, awarded after extensive VAR checks for offside, fouls, and the ball’s out-of-play status.
Arteta’s fiery post-game press conference saw him use strong words like “disgrace,” “sick,” and “embarrassed.” Arsenal also criticized the “unacceptable” refereeing standards in the Premier League. While the officiating was a point of contention, Arsenal’s performance left room for improvement, especially in their ball control.
Despite their Premier League setback, Arsenal sits at the top of their Champions League group with six points, one ahead of Lens and four clear of both PSV Eindhoven and Sevilla. A victory against Sevilla, combined with a Lens win over PSV, could pave the way for Arsenal’s early qualification for the knockout rounds.
Sevilla, led by Diego Alonso, faced Arsenal recently but couldn’t stop the brilliance of Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian’s performance was a standout moment in their previous encounter, contributing to Arsenal’s victory. Sevilla has yet to secure a win in the Champions League this season, and they are eager to reverse their fortune, particularly on the road.
However, Champions League away games have been a challenge for Sevilla, with a record of six draws and two losses in their last eight top-tier European away matches. Their previous visit to the Emirates in 2007 ended in a comprehensive 3-0 defeat.
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Team News
In the lead-up to the match, Arsenal faces several injury concerns. Martin Odegaard, who missed the game against Newcastle due to a hip problem, is uncertain for the Sevilla clash. The team will also be without key players such as Thomas Partey (muscle), Emile Smith Rowe (knee), Jurrien Timber (knee), and matchday three hero Jesus (hamstring). Eddie Nketiah’s availability is doubtful due to a knock. This opens the door for potential inclusions of players like Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, and Leandro Trossard. Havertz, who narrowly escaped a sending-off in the Newcastle game, might be considered for a position on the bench.
Sevilla, on the other hand, faces a few injury concerns as well. Sergio Ramos and Fernando are nursing calf and back issues, respectively. While Fernando is cleared to play, Ramos is not included in the squad. Marcao (adductor) and Alfonso Pastor (knee) are also unavailable. Moreover, Sevilla has lost key defensive players in Orjan Nyland and Marcos Acuna, both out with quadriceps and hamstring problems, respectively. As a result, Youssef En-Nesyri is expected to lead the attack, and Dodi Lukebakio might replace Oliver Torres.
Possible Lineups
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Vieira, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Sevilla possible starting lineup:
Dmitrovic; Navas, Gudelj, Bade, Pedrosa; Rakitic, Soumare, Sow; Lukebakio, En-Nesyri, Ocampos
Predicted Score
Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
Despite their recent Premier League setback, Arsenal is the favorite to secure a win against a depleted Sevilla side. However, the path to victory may include a few challenges along the way. Arsenal will need to navigate these obstacles to claim a win that could potentially send them through to the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
Conclusion
Arsenal faces a crucial Champions League clash against Sevilla at the Emirates Stadium. After their Premier League unbeaten run was snapped, they aim to bounce back in European competition. The match promises to be a turning point for both teams. Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, expressed his frustration with recent officiating, making this encounter even more intense. Despite their Premier League setback, Arsenal leads their Champions League group and could secure an early knockout round qualification with a victory over Sevilla. On the other hand, Sevilla seeks to change their fortune in the Champions League after a winless start. With a depleted squad and some defensive concerns, they face an uphill battle. This game is a decisive match for both sides, and it remains to be seen how it will unfold.