08 November 2023 , 22:29
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Even Mikel Arteta could afford a smile on the touchline.
No VAR controversy, no rows with the refs and no histrionics in the dugout. For once, the Arsenal boss could watch and enjoy his team taking a big step towards the Champions League knock-out stages. Of course it was Bukayo Saka who put them on the path to qualification with a goal and an assist as Arsenal made light work of Sevilla at the Emirates.
They now need just one more win to guarantee a place in the last 16 and, despite it being their first season back in the Champions League for seven years, it feels like they have never been away. Saka certainly belongs on the big stage because he is a player oozing with class, pace and he links up so well with anyone in attack.
Arsenal are without Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah through injury, but Leandro Trossard came in and scored from the false nine role. Incredibly, all of Trossard’s five goals this season have come from Saka’s assists and that just underlines the England star’s quality.
But the biggest worry for Arteta is to see opponents constantly kick his magic No7 and the Arsenal winger limping off before the end which will be a concern ahead of Burnley this weekend and the England squad being named on Thursday.
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The plain truth is that Arsenal cannot manage without him as he is the one player who is irreplaceable in Arteta’s squad. No wonder they love him so much at the Emirates.
When Arsenal were struggling to break down Sevilla, it was Saka who provided the pass to allow Trossard to break the deadlock.
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Arsenal brushed aside a struggling Sevilla to take a huge step towards the knockout stagesYou just wish that poor old Kai Havertz could do the same because the Germany forward worked so hard, went so close and yet it still not quite happening for him. It was Havertz who headed wide from close range in the first minute before Gabriel, Saka and then Ben White all went close.
Sevilla were also blatantly targeting Saka with some rough treatment as the England winger was kicked all over the place but Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs did not produce a yellow card.
But the pressure was building, Sevilla were sinking deeper and deeper and Arsenal took the lead after 29 minutes.
Arsenal midfielder Jorginho - who was outstanding - played a beautifully weighted pass inside the full back to release Saka down the right wing. His cross was perfect for Trossard to score from close range. It was a lovely goal.
Havertz twice went close before Arsenal’s second with one lovely curling shot flying just wide and the crowd stuck with him because they can see him trying. The second goal came after 64 minutes. Gabriel Martinelli’s clever pass released Saka who sprinted away, turned back inside Adria Pedrosa and then slotted home into the far corner.
What a player. Saka has become a national treasure. Arsenal rely so heavily on him and Sevilla just could not cope with him so they just fouled him again and again before eventually he limped off in the dying stages.
Sevilla were made to look second best and their frustration was typified by substitute Boubakary Soumaré who is on loan from Leicester. Soumare was booked within a minute of coming on for a foul on Declan Rice, injured himself in the process and then had to come off just eight minutes later.
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Arsenal finished the night on a high and on course for the Champions League knock-out stages.