{"id":8603,"date":"2023-10-24T23:43:17","date_gmt":"2023-10-24T22:43:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=8603"},"modified":"2023-10-27T14:17:10","modified_gmt":"2023-10-27T13:17:10","slug":"outstanding-jesus-ensures-big-arsenal-win-in-spain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=8603","title":{"rendered":"Outstanding Jesus Ensures Big Arsenal Win in Spain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Credit: Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A big game loomed in beautiful Andaluc\u00eda as the reality of the Champions League became real. After a home romp against PSV and then a subdued defeat against Lens, it was time to get back on the horse and, just three short days after a tough game at Stamford Bridge, cope with a tricky trip to Sevilla, a multiple Europa league winner. They are struggling in La Liga, but with a new coach showed their mettle last weekend with a draw against the mighty Real Madrid. A strong Arsenal team was called for and Arteta duly delivered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raya
White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu
Jorghino, \u00d8degaard, Rice
Saka, Jes\u00fas, Martinelli<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the bench: Ramsdale, ESR, Nketiah, Kiwior, Cedric, Trossard, Viera, Nelson, Elneny, Havertz, Hein, Zinchenko.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, Raya remains the number 1 and Tomi replaced Zinny at left back, a reward for some strong performances off the bench. The other change that so many of us wanted to see was Thomas Partey next to Rice in midfield. However, he has evidently picked up a muscle injury in training and wasn\u2019t in the squad. For Sevilla, their very experienced three of Ramos (age 37), Navas (age 37) and Rakatic (age 31) were all in the starting XI. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the game, the travelling Gooners sang Jose Antonio Reyes\u2019s name and were loudly applauded by the Sevilla faithful. A nice touch for a player with strong links to both clubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, with Arsenal in teal, 1800 away fans in the stadium, many of whom travelled on Sunday to enjoy a mini break, we were off. A fairly bitty first five was notable for how far forward Tomi was playing. The first great chance came from a defence splitting pass from Tomi to Jesus, who moved it on to Martinelli in the area. He should probably have scored, but the keeper blocked it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the warmest city in Spain, you could see the rain pouring down. Arsenal were playing well, moving the ball quickly and efficiently. Saka was being closely and physically marked by the left back, Acuma, who was, to say the least, a big old unit. Raya loosened the bowels of your correspondent by passing straight to a Sevilla player. Fortunately it came to nothing, but was another play out error by Raya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was noticeable was how little \u00d8degaard was on the ball, just like against Chelsea. The theory of the GHF cognoscenti is that he doesn\u2019t get the same space when Jorghino plays rather than Partey. Whatever the reason, our super little Norwegian captain seems to be going through a bit of a slump at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we moved towards half time a pass from Jorghino was intercepted and Sevilla counterattacked. It broke to the centre forward in the box, but under pressure from Tomi, he steered the ball wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right on half time, Arsenal scored a superlative goal. From a cleared corner by Gabriel, Jes\u00fas spun the two men pressing him with a delicious Cruyff turn, then played an absolute peach of a pass through the middle for Martinelli, on his Champions League debut, to run onto. He burnt past Ramos, went round the goalkeeper and slid it home. A truly great goal. Gabi to Gabi to Gabi. Martinelli has now scored on his CL debut, Europa league debut, Premier League debut and League Cup debut! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Half time: Sevilla 0-1 Arsenal (Martinelli 45+4)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A first half of few chances, but the counter looked on for both teams. We made it count, they didn\u2019t. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were no changes at half time. Early in the second half, Jes\u00fas pressed hard and the ball fell to \u00d8degaard who blazed over when he should have done better. But five minutes later, we were 2-0 up. Jes\u00fas, who had been everywhere, scored a worldie. He picked up the ball wide on the left with nothing really on. He jogged towards the area, made himself a half yard of space and absolutely smashed a curler into the top right hand corner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goal!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sevilla 0-2 Arsenal (Jesus 52)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Five minutes later, Sevilla won a corner on the right. Gudelj rose unmarked and powered a powerful header into Raya\u2019s net.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sevilla 1-2 Arsenal (Gudelj 58)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The game was now frantic. Sevilla were back in the game and their crowd were loud and proud. The ball was being pumped into the Arsenal area at every opportunity. Jorghino was booked for a high foot. Rice made a storming run through midfield but Saka miscontrolled the pass he gave him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 72nd minute the ineffectual \u00d8degaard was hooked for Kai Havertz. He became the immediate target for David Raya to launch high passes at. The ex-Sp*rs player, Lamela, dived in the penalty area after Saliba breathed on him He was rightly booked for simulation. Cheating spud bastard!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 80 minutes, Jes\u00fas, who had been quite brilliant, went down holding his hamstring, and was replaced by Eddie. At the same time, Saka went off for Trossard. On 90 minutes, Kiwior came on for Martinelli. The board went up showing six minutes added time. This was real backs to the wall stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 94 minutes, Sevilla won a corner from a poor Raya punch that could have ended up in the net. The Sevilla keeper came up. It was beaten away. More crosses came into our box. Eddie was sent away with a few seconds left and corner flagged expertly. The final whistle went.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A famous win, made possible by two moments of outstanding skill. Our first CL win away in Spain since Real Madrid in 2006.  Jes\u00fas was off the scale. Tomiyasu, Rice, Saliba, White, Gabriel and Martinelli were all excellent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An absorbing game. A big win for the Gunners. Top of the table and in control of the group with two home games left. In the other game PSV and Lens drew. The table looks like this, all played 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arsenal 6 points
Lens 5 points
Sevilla 2 points
PSV 2 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And breathe!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A big game loomed in beautiful Andaluc\u00eda as the reality of the Champions League became real. After a home romp against PSV and then a subdued defeat against Lens, it was time to get back on the horse and, just three short days after a tough game at Stamford Bridge, cope with a tricky trip […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8603"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8603"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8603\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8625,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8603\/revisions\/8625"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8603"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8603"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8603"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}