Preview: Sevilla vs Arsenal – prediction, team news, line-ups

After securing high-profile draws in their domestic commitments, Arsenal and Sevilla are primed to lock horns in Tuesday’s Champions League encounter at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

With the Gunners keen to return to winning ways, football fans interested in watching the Sevilla game live can purchase their Champions League tickets at Seatsnet.com at competitive prices.

After parting ways with Europa League hero Jose Luis Mendilibar following a series of unsavoury La Liga results, Sevilla appointed Diego Alonso and tasked him with turning their fortunes around.

In his first game in charge, the former Uruguay head coach and his side faced the unenviable task of welcoming Real Madrid to their headquarters but emerged with their heads held high after securing a 1-1 draw.

The hosts took the lead with a quarter-hour to go through an unfortunate own goal from David Alaba, but Dani Carvajal spared his teammate’s blushes just four minutes later. 

While the script was seemingly written for Sergio Ramos to head home the winner against his former club, the Los Blancos legend was thwarted by a combination of Kepa Arrizabalaga and the woodwork.

A hard-earned point against Madrid represents Sevilla’s third consecutive draw, which leaves the Europa League title holders languishing in the bottom half of the table after taking just nine points from nine games.

Sevilla have only managed to secure La Liga victories against Las Palmas and UD Almeria this season, although both triumphs have come on their home ground.

Los Nervionenses will hope their good luck on home turf translates onto the continental stage as they host Arsenal in search of only their third victory from 17 Champions League fixtures.

Mikel Arteta’s side somehow managed to emerge from their London derby cracker against Chelsea with a share of the spoils after trailing the Blues by two goals heading into the back-end of the thrilling showdown. 

Arteta renewed acquaintances with Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge, hoping to record his first victory against the Chelsea boss. But he found his side on the cusp of their first league defeat this season.

The Blues deservedly took the lead through Cole Palmer’s first-half penalty before Mykhaylo Mudryk pulled off a stunning cross-shot to catch David Raya off his line, putting Arsenal’s unbeaten record in jeopardy.

However, a moment of madness from Robert Sanchez handed Arsenal a route back into the game as his poor pass found Declan Rice, who slotted home a first-time effort from long range.

Leandro Trossard then completed Arsenal’s comeback, guiding home Bukayo Saka’s back-post cross in the 85th minute to secure a result that flattered the performance from Arteta’s side.

Arsenal may have managed to preserve their unbeaten Premier League record, but they will require a significantly better performance to get past Sevilla in Tuesday’s showdown.

Arteta has only ever taken charge of a single fixture in Spain and it ended in defeat for the former Manchester City man, falling 2-1 at the hands of Villarreal in 2021.

Match Preview

Arsenal

Arsenal supporters have been put through a rollercoaster of emotions in October, suffering a deserved 2-1 Champions League defeat away to Lens before ending their voodoo against Man City with a 1-0 victory.

The defeat to Lens bumped the Gunners down to second place in Group B after previously swatting aside Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven 4-0 in their curtain raiser.

Arsenal will be eager to return to winning ways on the continental stage, embarking on a quest to win a Champions League game on the road for the first time since December 2016, when they beat Basel 4-1.

Luckily for the Gunners, they have a decent record against Tuesday’s opponents in European tournaments, winning one of their only two meetings, with the other ending in a 3-1 defeat.

However, if history is anything to go by, Sevilla will fancy their chances of emerging victorious, considering Arsenal boast an abysmal away record against Spanish opposition.

The Gunners have won only three of their last 17 matches on the road against La Liga sides in all competitions, with their previous such victory coming against Valencia in 2019.

Sevilla

Sevilla are one of two teams yet to register a victory in Group B (alongside PSV) after settling for a share of the spoils in each of their opening two fixtures.

Los Nervionenses were held to a 1-1 draw by Lens on home turf before picking up a 2-2 draw against PSV in their last Champions League encounter, where they fell victim to an injury-time Jordan Teze leveller.

However, the Europa League winners will be hoping to record their first victory against Arsenal, repeating their success over the Gunners in the 2007/08 Champions League campaign.

Sevilla have lost only three of their last ten home games against English teams in all competitions – with their most recent encounter ending in a 3-0 victory over Manchester United.

Team News

Sevilla have been handed a major injury boost ahead of Tuesday’s fixture, with Erik Lamela available for selection after recovering from a muscle problem.

However, both Marcao and former Madrid man Mariano Diaz remain sidelined and will miss the game against Arsenal.

After welcoming a baby boy to the family, Ramsdale was handed a leave of absence in the Chelsea game but is expected to retake his place between the sticks against Sevilla.

A sublime performance at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan could be what the England international needs to hand Arteta a selection headache after Raya’s shaky display at Stamford Bridge.

Thomas Partey could return to the starting line-up, likely displacing Jorginho, while Leandro Trossard, Fabio Vieira and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all pushing for starts too. 

Jurrien Timber remains the only long-term absentee for the Gunners, with the Dutchman continuing his long road to recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Sevilla potential starting line-up:

(4-3-3): Orjan Nyland; Jesus Navas, Nemanja Gudelj, Sergio Ramos, Marcos Acuna; Djibril Sow, Boubakary Soumare, Ivan Rakitic; Dodi Lukebakio, Youssef En-Nesyri, Lucas Ocampos.

Arsenal potential starting line-up:

(4-3-3): Aaron Ramsdale; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Thomas Partey; Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli.

We Say: Sevilla 1-1 Arsenal

Arsenal’s performance in the Lens match left much to be desired, especially after the early injury to Bukayo Saka, which cast a shadow over the entire night.

While they seemed to regain some semblance of a side chasing the Premier League title in their impressive feat over Man City, Arteta had to endure another lacklustre performance from his side against Chelsea.

Until Sanchez’s howler, the Gunners offered next to nothing on the attacking front, showing worrisome signs that Arteta will be keen to address.

Without a significantly improved performance, Sevilla could prove too strong an opponent for Arsenal to overcome, with the Spaniards brimming with confidence following their result against Madrid.

Sevilla have a reputation for making life tough for opponents, particularly on home turf. Arteta’s attacking line might find themselves in for another challenging and potentially frustrating experience in Spain.