Goals from Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka saw Arsenal secure a 2-0 win over Sevilla that puts the Gunners on track to qualify top of Champions League Group B.
Here’s what the managers and players had to say after the game…
Mikel Arteta on the win…
I’m really pleased with the performance, and the determination, quality, aggression that we showed today, it was really pleasing to watch. It was a really convincing win, generating a lot and not conceding anything. It was a big step for us.
Source: Arsenal.com
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Sevilla coach Diego Alonso on the game…
Unfortunately, the game plan hasn’t worked out for us. We were overwhelmed. I cannot blame the players for not competing, they tried, we were far from the rival goal. I accept criticism and I’m self-critical as well. I understand people. I chose this starting XI because I understood that they were the best players to compete today. We are looking for a midfield with more energy, we have information on how the players were before the game. I also looked for fresh and young people on the flanks. We didn’t do what we wanted to do, making excuses is wrong.
Source: AS.com
1+1 – Bukayo Saka is the first @Arsenal player to score and assist in consecutive home games in the UEFA Champions League since Cesc Fàbregas against Sevilla and Slavia Prague in 2007-08. Heart. pic.twitter.com/fvdxGkicR8
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 8, 2023
Erik Lamela on Sevilla’s struggles…
It was complicated, that’s how we felt it on the field. They dominated us for almost the entire game. It was difficult for us to have possession and we were always far from the goal. They pressed very well. Personally I am frustrated, as are my teammates. We couldn’t do what we had in mind. They attacked very well and forced us to defend so much.
Source: AS.com
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Mikel Arteta on Jorginho’s performance…
It’s a joy to have him. His influence on the rest of the squad and the rest of the boys is enormous. He fits in with the way that we want to play, he’s so intelligent. He understands everything so quickly and he makes everybody else better and I’m really happy with his performance tonight.
Source: Arsenal.com
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Gabriel Martinelli on his assist for Saka’s goal…
I told him that he’s going to have to pay me for dinner. I’m so happy with the win and his goal as well.
Source: Arsenal.com
Sevilla had just a single attempt on goal this evening, the joint fewest shots #Arsenal have faced in a single Champions League or Europa League game on record (since 2003-04).
— Harvey Downes (@HarveyDownes92) November 8, 2023
Mikel Arteta on whether Martin Odegaard and Eddie Nketiah could be fit for Saturday…
They are racing against the clock to be fit and they are trying their best and they tried to be here today with us. It wasn’t possible and now we have another 48 hours before we play Burnley. We will try again and we will see because we need players at the moment.
Source: Arsenal.com
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Declan Rice on his form for Arsenal…
I’ve just been taking it game by game. I know it might sound boring but I literally have. Every time I put on the shirt, I try to come and play and if I start well, I know I’m going to go on to have a good game. That’s the confidence I’ve got at the minute, whether I’m playing as a six, whether I’m playing as an eight, I want to do the best I can for the team. There’s so much more I can still add. It’s been a good start. And yeah, it’s going to be a long season ahead as well so I’m looking forward to it still.
Source: TNT Sports
Good night, Gunners! 🆑🙌 pic.twitter.com/HQEcNPPknv
— Leandro Trossard (@LTrossard) November 8, 2023
For more reaction from Mikel Arteta, click here, and for Declan Rice’s take on a positive evening for the Gunners, click here.
Rice is deal, a steal, he’s the sale of the fucking century…
Rice is worth 100 mio. That’s not a steal. He played his worth. Trossard is a steal.
And the absolute dogs abuse I took on here during the summer for saying he’d be worth every penny….
Not from me , you didn’t 😂⚽️
Wasn’t it “deal of the f*cking century” ? Regardless, now I want to watch that movie again. For what must be the 20th time 🙂
You definitely need a to rewatch…
Lock, stock and three smoking Gabby’s
Fucking Northern wankers
We’ve got our Arsenal back. Wide forwards taking their man on and beating him, showing the courage to do that time and again even if they don’t succeed every so often. Midfielders taking the risk to play balls between the lines and over the top, to look for runs in behind, like Jorginho did on the first goal. Sharp, crisp one touch passing around the opposition box. Unpredictability. The idea of control isn’t about how much you keep the ball, it’s about how quickly you win it back and how much you are able to pin the opponent back with… Read more »
You always feel secure with Declan Rice in the midfield, regardless of who else is missing. Opponents are unable to get anywhere near him. Looks like ages since I had the same feeling
If anyone can be close to “the new Vieira”, I think Rice could be him.
There’ll never be another Vieira though, he was that good
Since “our Paddy”, I would think…
Haha. Erik Lamela. Haha. This was a really composed win. No one looked troubled. Hopefully this restores some confidence now and we can go on a run. Great to see Trossard scoring as a starter as he has flattered to deceive a few times and tends to be better from the bench. Havertz had a good game and I’m starting to wonder if we should just stop expecting him to score. Perhaps his game is more than that. When you don’t play a regular position every week it’s not easy to find rhythm and given he was brought in to… Read more »
Judging by Xhakas stats last season Kai should be on 1/2 goals and a couple of assists.
I hope he comes good for us, but he’s not making anywhere near the kind of runs that Xhaka did in those pockets so well last season
I think Havertz has had some good games, especially defensively. I wanna see him being creative, but he’s always happy to play it safe. He’s probably scared of the crowd reaction if he loses the ball
I can’t remember any game Havertz has been good, average at best on 2 occasions, poor the rest, as for scared do me a favour, he’s played at highest club and international level, just when i thought we learnt our lesson with Pepe we go and break the bank for this dud, chelsea couldn’t believe their luck when we came in for him, Miki’s fault entirely, another player we will picking up his wages in 2 seaons timewith us when we let him go out on loan to a Galatasary..
I tell you something else, he is not to be messed with either, stands his ground. And I guarantee you would never see him or any Arsenal player for that matter walk up and whack an opposing character round the head like that snidey c*nt Guimares!
They’re a nasty shower of fuckers.
Like Newcastle. Filthy.
We handled both games with maturity….. I’m happy!
Not only is Saka the first since Fabregas, he’s done it on his first ever Champions League matches.
His peak could be insane