Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla
Champions League
report by Layth Yousif
at Ashburton Grove 

Arsenal eased past Sevilla with goals from Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka to move Mikel Arteta’s side closer to automatic qualification after only four matches.

The Gunners dominated from start to finish on a comfortable Champions League evening in north London.

Kai Havertz could and should have put the Gunners ahead in this Group B clash before the red smoke coming from the away section that housed the travelling Spanish supporters had even dissipated, but the £65 million former Chelsea man headed Gabi Martinelli’s corner wide when unmarked in the first minute.

Despite posting 76 per cent possession when pinning the visitors back during a comfortable start, the Gunners only had a Bukayo Saka free-kick which flew over Marko Dmitrovic's goal in the 18th minute, and Ben White’s similar effort from open play five minutes later to show for their efforts.

However, as the tempo increased, Jorginho fired over, prior to Trossard eventually putting Arsenal ahead. The No19 slotting home from close range, following a flowing Gunners move that saw Jorginho play in Saka with an excellent through ball that unlocked the visitors backline. The No7 squared perceptively for the Belgian to score on the half hour mark, and make it 1-0.

Havertz nearly doubled the lead after the break, but his long-range curler flew narrowly wide. How wonderful it would be to see this version of the talented but mercurial creative more often. 

No matter, another talent, this time a home-grown favourite, Saka, doubled the lead on 64 minutes. The 22-year-old twisting and turning Pedrosa, before firing past Dmitrovic with aplomb. 

The only blight on the evening was the Arsenal attacker being kicked off the park by the Sevilla defence, prompting Arteta to note afterwards: “There is contact in football and obviously for the wingers who want to take people on this is going to happen. At the end he wasn't comfortable to carry on, hopefully it’s not too much, but I’m really pleased with his performance.”

Substitute Oleksandr Zinchenko — who replaced Tomiyasu during the break — nearly made it three but his fierce volley was palmed away by the increasingly beleaguered Dmitrovic.

Sevilla were coached by Diego Alonso, who was part of the Valencia side that knocked Arsenal out of the same competition at the quarter final stage back in 2001. Alas, his Andalusian side of today bear no comparison, as the Gunners strolled their way to victory against underwhelming opposition. 

As the clock ticked down, Arteta made a raft of changes, as supporters warmly applauded the comings and goings with all the satisfaction that only a happy crowd that had been entertained can give.

After the final whistle, Arteta praised his side, saying: “We implemented what we wanted really, really well, so I’m really happy.”

A point against Lens at the same venue in the next Champions League clash at the end of this month, and Gunners’ dreams of the knock-out stages will become reality.

Next up is Burnley on Saturday, as Arsenal aim to build on an encouraging performance and triumph ahead of next week’s international break.

As for this desperately disappointing current version of Sevilla, they will struggle to finish third in the group and fail to drop down into the Europa League in the spring at this rate.

A prospect unthinkable for a team that already appeared to be preparing for an attempt at their eighth title in their favourite continental competition. 

A sad indictment on a grand club’s limited aspirations that were laid bare in comparison to Arsenal’s thrusting vibrancy.