Arsenal will try to return to winning ways when Sevilla visits the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, following a run of two straight losses.
After a highly contentious 1-0 loss to Newcastle and a 3-1 loss to West Ham United, manager Mikel Arteta now needs to focus on Europe. Although Arsenal leads Group B comfortably, a loss here would drastically alter the rankings.
Sevilla is unbeaten in their past three games and will go into this match with some optimism that they can pull off a victory after losing 2-1 to the Gunners last month.
Arsenal team news
Martin Odegaard was simply described as “not fit” before the Newcastle game. The club captain’s fitness remains a mystery but, considering he didn’t even make the bench last time out, it seems a safe bet that he won’t start here.
Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe, Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Jesus all remain sidelined through injury.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Sevilla
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Sevilla (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Vieira, Rice; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
Sevilla team news
Both Sergio Ramos and Fernando missed the weekend’s draw with Celta Vigo with minor ailments that have limited their ability to train in the build-up. Even if they recover, a spot on the bench appears the best they can hope for here.
Marcao and Alfonso Pastor are both unavailable.
Sevilla predicted lineup vs Arsenal
Sevilla predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-3-3): Nyland; Navas, Gudelj, Bade, Acuna; Soumare, Rakitic, Sow; Lukebakio, En-Nesyri, Ocampos
Arsenal vs Sevilla score prediction
Arsenal sorely lacked creativity against Newcastle and Odegaard’s likely absence won’t help in that regard, but Arteta will expect significantly more from the rest of his players as they seek a much needed response.
The Gunners are the better team in this fixture and they should come out on top against a Sevilla side who, while no longer losing regularly, have yet to figure out how to win games. Just two of their last 11 outings have ended in victory, although their only losses in that period came against Barcelona and Arsenal.
Expect a gritty affair which may end with Arteta’s side celebrating an uncomfortable victory.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-0 Sevilla
