Sevilla vs Arsenal: Champions League preview with team news and prediction

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Arsenal return to Champions League action when we take on Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Tuesday night.

The Gunners extended their unbeaten record in the Premier League with a hard fought draw at Chelsea on Saturday evening. We produced one of our worst performances of the season during the opening forty five minutes at Stamford Bridge. Cole Palmer put Chelsea ahead from the spot after William Saliba gave away a controversial penalty in the 15th minute. For me, the Frenchman’s arm was in a natural position so it was a harsh penalty, but we deserved to be behind at the break.

Chelsea then doubled their lead in extremely fortunate circumstances just minutes into the second half. Mykhailo Mudryk’s poor cross ended up looping over David Raya’s head and into the net, so Arsenal had it all to do to maintain our unbeaten league record. Thankfully, we turned things around and Declan Rice pulled one back with a superb first-time finish in the 77th minute. Leandro Trossard then came off the bench to score the equaliser in the 84th minute to rescue a point for Arsenal.

We’re now level on points with Man City at the top of the league – although Tottenham could go two points clear if they beat Fulham on Monday night. It’s been a very solid opening to the league season but Arsenal may feel they should have even more points on the board having been held to three frustrating 2-2 draws.

The focus now turns to the Champions League and Arsenal will be desperate to get back on track after a shock 2-1 defeat to Lens three weeks ago. After taking the lead, we were dreadful in that game in France and fully deserved to lose. Group B should have been a relatively straightforward group for Arsenal to win, but the defeat to Lens has complicated things and another loss on Tuesday to Sevilla would put qualification to the knockout stages in real doubt.

We beat PSV Eindhoven convincingly in our opening game but we need to at least avoid defeat in Spain to keep things in our hands. After this game, our next two Champions League fixtures will be at home so seven points from the next three games should be enough to ensure qualification to the next phase of the competition.

Sevilla won’t be an easy game as they are a top side, as they showed at the weekend after holding Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw. However, they’ll be disappointed with their results so far in Europe as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Lens before drawing 2-2 away to PSV last time out. It’s left them third in Group B – one point behind second placed Arsenal and two adrift of surprise leaders Lens – so Sevilla need a result at home on Tuesday night to get their campaign up and running.

How to watch

Sevilla have a passionate fans so the home end is expected to be sold-out while Arsenal have one of the best travelling support in the world so tickets for this game will be hard to come by. However, you can still buy sold-out Champions League tickets at reseller sites if you want to attend the game in person.

For those who can’t make the game or get their hands on a ticket, you can still watch all the action from the comfort of your home if you subscribe to TNT Sports. The game will be broadcast live on TNT Sports at 7.45pm on Tuesday night.

Team news

Arsenal welcomed Bukayo Saka back from a hamstring injury at the weekend. The England international had missed Arsenal’s win over Manchester City earlier this month and England’s two games during the international break after picking up the issue against Lens. However, he came through the Chelsea game unscathed and should be fit to start in Spain.

William Saliba also showed no signs of discomfort from his chronic toe injury so he should keep his place alongside Gabriel Maglahaes in the middle of Arsenal’s defence. Leandro Trossard is pushing for a start after scoring off the bench at the weekend having recovered from a knock.

Aaron Ramsdale may be back in contention after missing the draw at Chelsea following the birth of his son. Thomas Partey is also available for selection after returning to fitness so he could be recalled in midfield. However, Jurrien Timber is a long-term absentee for the Gunners as the summer signing is facing a battle to play again this season following surgery on an ALC injury that he suffered back in August.

As for Sevilla, they’ll be without goalkeeper Alfonso Pastor due to a knee injury. Striker Mainano Diaz is also a major doubt with a thigh problem. Star striker Youssef En-Nesyri was forced off against Madrid but it’s not thought to be anything serious so he’s likely to be fit to start up front.

Likely Line-ups

Arteta could freshen things up and he has plenty of options to call upon. Jorginho was poor against his former club on Saturday and should drop out of the starting eleven. Partey didn’t feature against Chelsea but if he’s fit he should come in to face Sevilla alongside Declan Rice in midfield. Kai Havertz did well off the bench at the weekend but he may have to settle for a place among the substitutes.

It will be interesting to see if Raya keeps his place after a poor performance at the weekend and Ramsdale will be hoping for an opportunity to reclaim the No.1 shirt.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is pushing for a start after impressing off the bench again on Saturday. Trossard could also come in after scoring the equaliser at Stamford Bridge with Gabriel Martinelli possibly making way.

Likely Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Partey, Odegaard, Saka, Jesus, Trossard

Likely Sevilla XI: Nyland; Navas, Gudelj, Ramos, Acuna; Sow, Soumare, Rakitic; Lukebakio, En-Nesyri, Ocampos

Prediction

Arsenal will need to play a lot better than we did on Saturday if we want to win in Spain tomorrow night. Sevilla are no mugs and are a very dangerous side, especially in Europe where they’ve got great pedigree.

It’s important Arsenal don’t lose this game and while Arteta will no doubt want the win, he’ll want to keep things tight to ensure we don’t lose. I expect it to be a tight match with few goals, but am backing Arsenal to edge a narrow 1-0 victory. Sevilla 0-1 Arsenal

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