Arsenal on Thursday won their third match in the ongoing Champions League group stage and solidified their odds of making it to the knockout stages. A crucial 2-0 win over Sevilla at the Emirates Stadium took the Gunners to the top of the Group B standings with 9 points from four games.
The game was dominated by Arsenal throughout, maintaining over 60% ball possession and more shots played at the target compared to their opponents. Goals from Leandro Trossard & Bukayo Saka in either half allowed Arsenal to walk away with a comfortable 2-0 home victory, and now they are just one win away from booking their slot in the knockout stages.
Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the 29th minute when Bukayo Saka found him at the back post with a teasing cross. It was a brilliant ball in behind the Sevilla defense that sprang Saka free inside the penalty area.
64 minutes into the game, Arsenal finally got the opportunity to score the second goal. Gabriel Martinelli sent in a fantastic through ball on the right wing straight to Saka who dribbled past the the defender inside before beating the goalkeeper to the far post. Saka was unstoppable on the night, having scored one for himself and provided a valuable assist for the first goal by Trossard.
Sevilla were outclassed yet again in every aspect as the team was able to attempt just one shot in the game, one in which they trailed for just over an hour, as Arsenal had their way on both sides of the ball. In fact, the dominance of Arsenal throughout the game was such that Sevilla had their first shot only in the 97th minute.
Mikel Arteta’s side has dominated the Group B fixtures and with nine points from their first four games, the Gunners are just three more points away from making it to the round of 16 draw. Sevilla on the other hand, is still winless in the group stages so far and will be desperately looking for a big win against Lens in their next group match so that they can at least stand a chance to qualify for the UEFA Europa League.