Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla: Saka and Martinelli shine in uncomplicated win

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Arsenal’s position at the top of Group B was consolidated last night with a comfortable 2-0 win over Sevilla at the Emirates.

There was no Eddie Nketiah, nor Martin Odegaard, so Kai Havertz started in midfield, with Leandro Trossard deployed up front. The German, who has had a difficult time since his arrival during the summer, really should have put us ahead in the second minute when a corner found him unmarked at the back post. Maybe he had ‘too much time’ to think about it, but he mistimed his header badly and glanced it wide instead of on target.

That early chance set the tone though. Arsenal were in almost complete control, dominating the ball and possession, with little to no threat from the visitors. We weren’t exactly making clear cut chances, a Gabriel header when he could probably have left it for Saliba was about the best we had. It was also open season on Bukayo Saka again. I think there must have been a new law passed that he gets no protection from referees, but on the half hour mark he took his revenge.

Jorginho’s pass through the lines to send him in behind was delicious, and from there Saka rolled it across to Trossard who slotted home to make it 1-0. They said on TV that every one of the Belgian’s five goals this season has been set up by Saka, so that’s clearly a relationship that can be leaned on as and when we need it. I thought Trossard was lively in the first half, but if we’re talking about players standing out, we have to talk about Gabriel Martinelli.

That early corner from which Havertz had the chance came when he burst beyond Juanlu, and it gave him a taste. Like a shark smelling blood in the water, he knew he had the measure of the full back, so he ran past him again. And again. And again. Whenever he wanted. There wasn’t even that much variation. It was essentially the same move each time, and while the Sevilla man knew what was coming, he couldn’t do…

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Author : arseblog

Publish date : 2023-11-09 07:27:23

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