5 talking points as Arsenal edge past Sevilla thanks to superb Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus hit back at his critics by scoring a superb goal and assisting another to hand Arsenal a win at Sevilla.
The Brazilian had come under pressure for his lack of return in front of goal but responded by playing through Gabriel Martinelli to open the scoring deep into first-half injury time. Martinelli celebrated a dream Champions League debut by rounding the keeper and putting his side ahead before Jesus fired in a superb strike after the break.
Arsenal were left clinging on after Nemanja Gudelj pulled one back with a thumping header before Jesus worryingly limped off with a hamstring problem. Here, Mirror Football looks at five of the biggest talking points from the Gunners' slim victory.
Partey problems
Arsenal have been left sweating on the fitness of Thomas Partey, as the midfielder deals with another injury issue. While he was only an unused substitute against Chelsea at the weekend, Partey has been a key player for the Gunners.
Now, Arteta will be forced to do without him for an unknown amount of time after he picked up a muscle problem in training on Monday. The Gunners' midfield options are dwindling.
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Though Jorginho, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard have formed a partnership in the middle of the park, the visitors struggled for flow against Sevilla. And his precious few senior options in the position will be a worry for Arteta.
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Raya backing backfires
David Raya was again unconvincing for Arsenal (Jose Luis Contreras/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)Mikel Arteta opted to stick to his guns and hand David Raya his full backing despite the Spaniard's recent struggles. Raya was heavily criticised after the draw with Chelsea but kept his starting spot for the trip to Sevilla.
But the keeper failed to fully convince his critics that he would be a safe option between the sticks. With 21 minutes played, the Spanish star was left breathing a heavy sigh of relief after he got away with giving the ball away cheaply.
He played a pass forwards, but rather than finding a teammate, it fell to Nemanja Gudelj. The Sevilla star sent a cross into an unmarked Dodi Lukebakio, but the striker was unable to bring it under control, with Raya thankful his error was not capitalised on. He nearly cost the Gunners in injury time as his ill-timed punch luckily bounced off a Sevilla attacker and over the bar, rather than into the net.
Jesus proves a point
Gabriel Jesus scored once and assisted another for the Gunners (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Gabriel Jesus has been battling Eddie Nketiah for the starting spot up-front for much of the season. But after his performance against Sevilla, Arteta no longer has a decision to make, if the hamstring problem which forced him off is not as concerning as it looked.
The Brazilian was superb as the Gunners' frontman and gave the Sevilla defence the runaround for much of the night. His night started with a truly brilliant assist for Gabriel Martinelli's opening goal.
Jesus brought down a high ball, before pulling off a Cruyff turn to escape two defenders and playing an inch-perfect pass through to his compatriot. The Brazilian followed that up with a superb goal in the second half, as he cut into the box and fired a shot into the far corner.
Martinelli's dream debut
Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring on his Champions League debutThanks to Arsenal's struggles over the past decade, this was actually Gabriel Martinelli's debut in the Champions League. He celebrated that landmark in the best possible fashion by opening the scoring.
The Brazilian still had a lot of work to do after Jesus played him through, with his pace beating the Sevilla defence. He then had to stay calm as keeper Orjan Haskjold Nyland rushed out, with the winger taking the ball around the Norwegian and tapping in.
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Jesus Navas struggled to contain Martinelli all night, with the Arsenal star enjoying two successful dribbles and winning three duels. It will certainly be a game Martinelli will long remember.
A concerning trend
Set-pieces have been Arsenal's Achilles' Heel for some time, with their tendency to concede from corners playing a part in their failed title challenge last season. And it is a problem that is showing no signs of being solved by Mikel Arteta and his coaching staff.
Gabriel Jesus was the man charged with marking Nemanja Gudelj at a corner just before the hour mark. But the Brazilian lost the centre-back, who rose highest to put a thumping header past David Raya.
Though the visitors were able to hold onto their win, it will be of great concern to Arteta that his side are still susceptible to opposition set-pieces. And if the Gunners are to go deep in the Champions League, it is a problem they need to stamp out.
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