Arsenal player ratings: Gabriel Jesus makes the difference but Martin Odegaard reverts to Real Madrid days vs Sevilla
ARSENAL clinched a huge 2-1 win over Sevilla in the Champions League thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.
Martinelli struck in first-half stoppage-time as the Gunners took a slender lead into the break courtesy of a sweeping counter-attack.
ReutersGabriel Martinelli scored Arsenal’s opening goal of the game in first-half stoppage time[/caption]
PAGabriel Jesus doubled the Gunners’ advantage eight minutes into the second period[/caption]
And Jesus doubled their advantage eight minutes into the second half with a sumptuous effort that flew into the top corner.
Nemanja Gudelj pulled one back for the hosts before the hour mark to make it a nervy final 30 minutes for Mikel Arteta’s men.
But Arsenal stood up to the task and sealed the win, successfully bouncing back from their 2-1 loss to Lens last time out in the Champions League.
Here is how Kieran Davies saw the performances of the Arsenal players.
DAVID RAYA – 6
Had very little to do in terms of saves but still managed to give the ball to the opposition playing out from the back on a couple of occasions.
Almost punched a cross into his own net in added time.
BEN WHITE – 6
Non-existent display in the first half but started to venture forward in the second half, offering himself on the overlap.
Struggled with Ocampos at times.
GABRIEL – 6
Left ball watching for the Sevilla goal, rather than attacking the ball.
Always has something to say to the referee even when he is the one at fault.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 7
Solid as ever from the Arsenal centre back.
Over commits at times on the halfway line but it dependable around his own box.
TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU – 7
Got forward from the first whistle and caused Sevilla problems down the left wing.
Offered support for Martinelli and Jesus. Struggled at times with Navas but stuck to his game.
JORGINHO – 7
Put in the sort of performance this Arsenal side craves on the road in Europe.
Doesn’t look to do anything complicated, just receives the ball and looks to link play with short passes.
DECLAN RICE – 7
Always ready to get stuck in and has a great engine.
Made a fantastic box to box run to create a chance in the second half but passed to Saka who wasted the opportunity.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 5
Just could not get into the game at all and offered very little for Arsenal.
It more like the sort of performances he used to put in for Real Madrid.
BUKAYO SAKA – 6
Can be all too predictable on the ball at times. Receives it, drops the shoulder, cuts onto his left foot and shoots. Wherever he is on the pitch.
Wasted possession all too often with this tactic.
GABRIEL JESUS – 9
The difference between the two sides.
A sublime Cruyff turn in his own half before having the vision to see Martinelli’s run and slot him in for the first goal. Then scored a goal from nothing when he rifled one in the top corner when there was nothing on.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 8
Showed great composure running from the halfway line in added time to give Arsenal the lead.
He rounded the keeper and scored a very important goal. Offered a threat down the left all game.
KAI HAVERTZ – 5
What Mikel Arteta was thinking paying the money he did for the German is nothing short of baffling.
All too often seems to have Harry Potter’s cloak of invisibility on. You have to check the teamsheet all too often to see if he was playing.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6
Couldn’t really get into the game as was asked to defend all too often with Sevilla growing in confidence.
EDDIE NKETIAH – 6
Didn’t have any chance to effect the game as Arsenal had stopped attacking by the time he came on.
Unused subs: Ramsdale, Hein, Zinchenko, Cedric, Kiwior, Elneny, Vieira, Smith Rowe, Nelson.