Champions League: Will We See a Backlash From Angry Arsenal?

Arsenal vs Sevilla

Arsenal are aiming to avoid three defeats on the bounce when they host Sevilla in a Champions League Group B clash at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. 

The Gunners’ back-to-back defeats, away to West Ham in the Carabao Cup and Newcastle in the league, have rather put the skids on a great start to the season.

And the manner of their loss to the Magpies was particularly annoying as the latest VAR controversy condemned them to defeat. Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta was incensed after the Magpies were awarded a goal after three separate VAR checks.

Arteta fumed that the decision to allow Anthony Gordon’s second half winner was an embarrassment and disgraceful, and he had a point as it looked like there was an offside and the ball went out of play during the build-up to the goal.

The defeat left Arsenal in fourth place in the Premier League table and three points behind leaders Manchester City.     

Over in La Liga, Sevilla earned a useful 1-1 draw away to Celta Vigo on Saturday, following up a 3-0 Copa del Rey win over CD Quintanar, and the Spaniards need a win at the Emirates to keep their slim hopes of advancing alive.

Arsenal were decisive on their trip to Andalusia last month and came away with three points; and if they can complete the double, the Gunners can start to plan their knockout campaign. 

Talking Points

Can Arsenal channel their fury?  

Arteta and his team will be smarting on this Monday morning, and they will be desperate to get back on the grass to take out their frustration on Sevilla. The Gunners have lost their 11-match unbeaten league streak, and they have already lost one game in the Champions League as well as going out of the Carabao Cup.

Captain Martin Odegaard missed the defeat to Newcastle, nursing a hip problem, and he will take a late fitness test to see whether he can face Sevilla. Odegaard is such a key player for the Gunners in terms of leadership and team balance, and it would be a major boost to the hosts if he does make it. 

The hosts will be without the injured Gabriel Jesus, and Eddie Nketiah will lead the line again with support from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, while Declan Rice will sit deeper in midfield. If Odegaard is fit to play, then Jorginho could be the man to give way.

The latest Champions League 2023 betting odds make Arsenal the fourth favourites to win the tournament at odds of 9.00, and if they see off Seville on Wednesday, then they will be well on their way.  

Alonso has steadied the Sevilla ship

Head coach Diego Alonso has only been in the job for a month and had a baptism of fire in his first game in charge at home to Real Madrid. His team earned a 1-1 draw which exceeded everyone’s expectations, but then he watched them lose to Arsenal.

It has been calmer sailing for Los Palanganas over the past three games with two league draws sandwiching a cup win, all away from home. And though their Champions League 2023 results have not been all they would hope for, Sevilla can still qualify and at least finish third which would give them the opportunity to defend their Europa League title.        

Lucas Ocampos and Youssef En-Nesyri will lead the Sevilla attack with Ivan Rakitic sitting behind. But Alonso will expect his team to be on the defence for much of this game, and he is sweating on the fitness of talismanic centre-back Sergio Ramos, who missed the draw with Celta Vigo suffering a calf strain.

It doesn’t appear to be too bad, and Ramos is still in contention. 

History

By three victories to two, Arsenal have edged the head-to-head encounters with Sevilla, winning the return match 2-1. Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli put the Gunners in charge before Nemanja Gudelj halved the deficit.    

With three wins, one draw, and two defeats over the past six games, the Gunners have lost some of the consistency they have enjoyed over the last 12 months, while Sevilla have one win, one defeat, and four draws from the last six games.  

Despite their very recent frustrations, the Gunners are unbeaten in nine games at the Emirates, and the odds say they will keep that run going.   

Betting Tip

The Gunners are red-hot favourites to win this tie at odds of 1.29 with the draw at 5.03, and a Sevilla win the least likely outcome at SBOTOP odds of 6.56.

I think Arsenal will come through, but narrowly against a well-organised Sevilla especially if Ramos turns up in North London.

 

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