Sevilla vs Arsenal: Champions League Match Preview, Team News, Lineups and Prediction
Arsenal take on Sevilla in matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium. The Gunners have managed to stay unbeaten in the Premier League this season.
After a 2-1 defeat to Lens on matchday 2, they will seek to get all three points against Sevilla. Los Palanganas managed to draw against Real Madrid at the weekend and picked up a draw against PSV on matchday 2.
Match Preview
Sevilla have sacked their manager, Jose Luis Mendilibar, who helped them win the Europa League last season. Former Uruguay manager Diego Alonso has replaced him, and managed to play a draw against Real Madrid in his first game.
However, Sevilla has only managed to beat Las Palmas and Almeria this season. Nevertheless, they are yet to suffer a defeat in the Champions League as they managed to draw 1-1 against Lens on matchday 1 and 2-2 against PSV on matchday 2.
A draw against Los Blancos this weekend should have boosted Sevilla’s morale ahead of the game against Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s side earned a 2-2 draw against a spirited Chelsea, who gave them no room at the Stamford Bridge. Despite their worst performance this season, the Gunners managed to take a point at the Bridge after Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard scored late goals.
Arsenal handed a defeat to Manchester City in a thrilling encounter where Gabriel Martinelli scored the winner. And in the Champions League, the Gunners thrashed PSV 4-0 on matchday 1. However, they suffered a 2-1 loss away at Lens before beating Man City.
A win against Los Palanganas in the midweek will boost Arsenal’s morale and increase their chances of qualifying for the next round.
Sevilla team news
Alfonso Pastor and striker Mariano Diaz are the only players who will miss the clash against Arsenal. Erik Lamela will be available again after suffering a muscle injury.
Youssef En-Nesyri was an enforced withdrawal late on in their draw with Real Madrid, although the Moroccan is not suffering from an injury. Boubakary Soumare will keep his place in the XI after a good performance in the weekend.
Sergio Ramos is expected to start alongside Jesus Navas and Marcos Acuna. Both Sevilla full-backs will be given the task of keeping Martinelli and Saka quiet throughout the whole game.
Arsenal team news
Aaron Ramsdale should be back in the squad after he attended the birth of his child. However, it is still unknown whether Raya will keep the starting spot after making silly mistakes against Chelsea.
With Ramsdale back, Jurien Timber is the only absentee in the squad. Furthermore, both Thomas Partey and Kai Havertz will be in contention to replace struggling Jorginho.
Despite a poor performance against the Blues, Gabriel Jesus will keep his place in the starting XI.
Sevilla vs Arsenal: Predicted line-ups
Sevilla (4-3-3): Nyland; Navas, Gudelj, Ramos, Acuna; Sow, Soumare, Rakitic; Lukebakio, En-Nesyri, Ocampos
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Partey; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Prediction
Sevilla 0-2 Arsenal
Despite claiming a draw against Madrid, Sevilla lacks that consistency in their game. Plus, they don’t have squad depth like their rivals. However, you can never count them out of this game.
A tight affair is expected between these sides, and Sevilla will try to replicate what Chelsea did at the weekend. Nevertheless, the Gunners’ substitute can change the game if they find themselves in some difficulty.
