If they beat Sevilla and Lens defeat PSV in Eindhoven, Arsenal will be assured of at least finishing second in Group B. They’ll still have work to do to secure top spot, but their primary objective in the first phase will be complete with two games to spare. Even if the result elsewhere doesn’t go Arsenal’s way, success will leave them in a very strong position.
Victory over Sevilla would also see Arsenal do a Champions League group-stage double over another club from one of Europe’s top five leagues for only the fourth time, having previously achieved this in 2006-07 (Hamburg), 2012-13 (Montpellier) and 2013-14 (Marseille).
It won’t be a shock if they pull it off. After all, Sevilla’s poor run in this competition isn’t just restricted to their away form; they’ve won just two of their past 17 Champions League matches on any ground and are simply in a difficult position currently.
Their only win in any competition since the hiring of Diego Alonso as head coach early last month was a 3-0 victory over sixth-tier opposition in the Copa del Rey, and with the oldest starting XI on average (30 years, 354 days) in the Champions League this season, they’re hardly a team bursting with potential.
Alonso’s chances of earning a first win over a professional team aren’t going to be helped by the fact that several potentially key players are struggling with their fitness. Fernando, Sergio Ramos and Marcos Acuña are all doubts, while first-choice goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland withdrew from training on Monday due to an adductor issue.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are hoping to have Martin Ødegaard back after he missed Saturday’s loss to Newcastle, whereas Emile Smith Rowe, Thomas Partey and Jesus are all likely to be absent.
Arsenal vs Sevilla Head-to-Head
Other than their meeting two weeks ago, Arsenal and Sevilla have only met twice before in official competition.
Sevilla vs Arsenal xG map
Sevilla were beaten 3-0 on their last visit to Emirates Stadium in September 2007, but they got their revenge on Arsenal in Spain with a 3-1 win a few weeks later.
Those wins aside, Arsenal’s record against La Liga teams is poor, losing six and drawing two of their past 11 Champions League clashes with clubs from Spain.
And, as mentioned, Sevilla have rarely done well on trips to England, though in April this year they did come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 away to Man Utd en route to winning the UEFA Europa League.Jesus, Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson.
Head Coach: Mikel Arteta.
Sevilla: Marko Dmitrović, Ørjan Nyland, Jesús Navas, Federico Gattoni, Adriá Pedrosa, Sergio Ramos, Tanguy Nianzou, Marcos Acuña, Loïc Badé, Nemanja Gudelj, Joan Jordán, Ivan Rakitić, Djibril Sow, Fernando, Óliver Torres, Boubakary Soumaré, Lucas Ocampos, Suso, Rafa Mir, Dodi Lukebakio, Mariano Díaz, Youssef En-Nesyri, Erik Lamela.
Head Coach: Diego Alonso
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