Arsenal dominated the first half as Sevilla stood firm
Sevilla missed the closing moments of their travel. Diego Alonso watched on as Sevilla lined up a noticeably fresh squad, a bold shift from the usual setup. Pedrosa and a swift left-sided pairing with Fernando and Jordan in midfield framed a plan aimed at stifling Arsenal’s advances, while An-Nasry held the role of a key anchor. The Uruguayan manager made his intention clear: neutralize Arsenal’s attacks and hit on the counter whenever possible.
Arsenal sought control through possession and pace, while Sevilla aimed to keep their tempo steady. Yet the visitors imposed constant pressure from the wings and through the central corridors. Joking at the balance, Martinelli caused disruption, with Trossard opening the scoring late in the first half and then extending the lead after halftime, forcing Sevilla to chase in a tight contest that saw an injury interruption for a player from the visiting side.
The home side’s shape remained solid as Arsenal held the initiative from the outset. Sevilla’s defense worked hard to absorb the pressure, and Diego Alonso’s team appeared to be fielding a Nervión that hadn’t fully settled into the match; even the coach watched closely as the game unfolded.
Arsenal monopolized the first half
From the second minute, Martinelli demonstrated the tone of the game, showing intent and invention on the left. Sevilla fought to gain a foothold but found themselves trailing after Dmitrovic conceded a goal to a ball that came through a crowded area with a moment of imbalance in Sevilla’s defense. Juanlu created tension on the left as the attack moved through the middle and right, testing Sevilla’s resolve as the minutes ticked by. A moment of danger for Sevilla came as Gudelj flirted with a yellow card amid heightened frustration.
Sevilla’s plan was clear: resist the tempo and look for counter opportunities. By the 20th minute, the Andalusian side had not yet found their rhythm, and the ball spent more time in Arsenal’s half than Sevilla’s. Arsenal continued to probe the seams, with Martinelli driving the initiative and creating chances. A later effort from White thudded against the crossbar, maintaining the one-goal margin that kept Sevilla in the hunt.
Trossard opened the scoring and Sevilla fought to stay in the match
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 29th minute, when a low cross from Jokic found Trossard, who finished from close range after a momentary slip in Sevilla’s defense. Sevilla, now forced to chase, watched as Jorginho distributed the ball with calm authority. Pedrosa unleashed power in the 39th minute, testing the defensive line on a blistering run, only to be halted before the ball could reach its intended target. The Nervión side protected their goal as halftime approached, their near misses compensated by disciplined defending and compact lines. The hosts looked to push more decisively in the second half, hoping for a change in the game’s tempo under Diego Alonso.
The second period resembled the first in rhythm, with Arsenal pressing high and Sevilla trying to carve out opportunities on the break. Havertz produced a couple of attempts from distance that skimmed the top corners, underscoring Arsenal’s dominance. Yet Sevilla remained resilient, preferring measured attacks over reckless gambles, and the English side found no easy path to a second tally despite enjoying sustained territorial advantage.
✂️ Cropping and defining.
Magnificent finish from Saka sealed Arsenal’s second goal. #LaCasadelFútbol #UCL
— Football on Movistar Plus+ (@MovistarFutbol) 8 November 2023
Arsenal strike again
Alonso prepared changes, but Mikel Arteta pushed ahead with a second goal early in the second half. Saka received a precise cut-back from the byline and punished Sevilla with a precise volley aimed at the far post. The visitors faced a growing sense of urgency as Arsenal extended their lead and controlled the pace of play, leaving Sevilla with the challenge of stabilizing the match and finding a way back into it.
The substitution window also saw Rakitic and Soumaré enter for Sevilla, yet the fresh legs did not immediately alter the balance. The French midfielder’s appearance was brief, as injury struck shortly after his arrival, forcing more changes as Mariano came on to bolster the attack. Sevilla’s plans shifted toward riskier forward play, but Arsenal’s defence remained compact and selective with clear lines and disciplined pressing at the back.
The late stages offered glimpses of danger for Arsenal as a long ball caused uncertainty in the defense. Mariano and An-Nasry combined briefly, but the English team maintained pressure with a relentless push through the final minutes of normal time. Sevilla’s hopes of a late comeback faded as Arsenal stood tall, securing a win that confirmed their control of the tie while keeping alive their European ambitions.
In the end, Arsenal’s superiority was evident throughout the match, with Sevilla left to reflect on what could have been after a display that mixed stubborn defense with moments of individual inspiration from the visitors. The result left both teams with contrasting narratives as they prepared for the rest of the competition. [citation: Movistar Plus]