Fresh off the back of a dramatic 2-2 draw away to Chelsea Mikel’s might gunners find themselves thrust back into the Champions league. Where they are once again on the back of a 2-2 draw against Lens. Both were games Arsenal felt as though they should have won and certainly underperformed.
Now once more Arsenal must look to bounce back and bounce back with a progressive display away to a tricky Sevilla.
The Lineup:
Arsenal face the current Europa League champions, Sevilla, with the aim of regaining control of their group after losing in Lens earlier this month.
Sevilla have only won two of their last nine home games in this competition, and while they have been highly successful in Europe since the turn of the century, they have struggled against English sides, winning just two of their last nine meetings.
They will be hoping that the recent appointment of Diego Alonso as manager can help them improve their record against English sides, as well as their poor start to the La Liga season.
As a consequence of the importance of this game as well as the need for a strong bounce back for Arsenal. I have a felling Mikel will field his strongest side with some changes. Firstly I think given the consistent errors in his game at the moment, it may be time for a change at the back. Further, if Ramsdale is our ‘cup’ keeper, this is a cup game for him to perform.
The other change I would provide is Tomiyasu in for Zinchenko. Tomi has the ability now in his game to pivot further into CM with Partey covering his spot at either LB or for Gabriel to go LB and Partey to move CB. This allows that interplay which Mikel prefers and for the left hand side of attack to further increase in intensify with Rice in the 8/6 pivot and Tomi providing further pressure on the overlap.
Key Stats Provided by Opta:
Opta’s supercomputer predicts that Arsenal have a 51.9% chance of winning their second Champions League game of the season against Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.
However, Arsenal have a poor record against Spanish teams away from home, having won only three of their last 17 games in all competitions.
Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri is one goal away from equalling Wissam Ben Yedder’s club record of 10 Champions League goals.
Keys to Winning:
Gabriel Jesus has scored 17 goals and provided 3 assists in 25 starts in the Champions League. He has a chance to become the second Arsenal player to score in his first three games in the competition, after Marouane Chamakh in 2010/11.
Declan Rice has made 32 progressive carries in the Champions League this season, more than any other defensive/central midfielder except Manchester City’s Rodri (47).
With a strong starting side, Mikel expects his key men to perform well. Certainly to live up to their abilities on a big night away in the Champions League. Arsenal will dominate possession and have the most shots on target, but they need to be wary of pacy counter-attacks. If they’re clinical in the first half, they can put the game to bed and make substitutions in the second half to rest their key players.
The safety for Mikel, is Thomas Partey. He dropped a Man of the Match performance on his last few substitute appearances, and is hoping to be of the right level of fitness to feature. It certainly allows for a more midfield solidarity for Mikel and a level of composure in the backline to enable Tomiyasu to be more effective in his movements up the LW and inverting into LCM.
Conclusion:
Arsenal are once again the stronger side against Sevilla. However a trip away in the Champions League is never easy, factor in that new manager bounce and Arsenal can expect to play a fierce and very game Sevilla.
As a result, Mikel does need to start his strongest side and for them to click from the start. It needs to be a pacey but controlled affair, quick overlaps, direct play and clinical finishing. Arsenal need their bounce back from the draw 2 days ago to really galvanise them and keep the momentum going in the right direction.
Clinical Jesus, and a solid DM display from Partey is the call of the day, and ultimately the key to winning.
Pedictions:
Score: Sevilla 0 – Arsenal 3
POTM: Declan Rice
Suggested Bet: Jesus Anytime Goal Scorer
Written by Reekesh Somaroo
Stats by Opta & Fotmob