Gunners go to the top of Group B in the Champions League

Gabriel Jesus was my Man of the Match as the Gunners held-on to a 2-1 win in their Champions League group stage. The win puts Arsenal back on top of Group B with six points.

During the course of the game, Jesus contributed a brilliant assist to Gabriel Martinelli for the club’s first goal, then later in the second half he stroked home a beauty of his own, which proved to be the game winner. Unfortunately, later on, Jesus limped off the field with a hamstring problem.

Here’s what Mike Arteta said after the match about his star’s injury. “No, he felt something in his hamstring, so, we’ll see. Straight away he asked to be subbed which is not good news because Gabi is not a player that does that at all, so we have to wait and see in the next few days.”

Unless the injury is more serious then we hope, Jesus will have the Sheffield United match and the Carabao Cup game v West Ham United to rest and heal his aching leg. Not that these will be easy matches, however, I think we should have the depth necessary to fill-in for the Brazilian striker and get the job done.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed on all of this.

Back to the match, Sevilla was a better team to watch than I expected. They have a strong roster, a good tactical plan, and the squad seems well-coached. We can count on this Spanish club to come to Emirates Stadium on November 8th looking for revenge and a chance to improve their hopes of advancing to the Round of 16.

Regarding Arsenal’s overall performance from his game, Arteta seemed very pleased, “We are coming off the back of a period of very difficult games, and the team constantly has to step in, and go against adversity as well, and injuries that we’ve picked up with some big players. The team is so willing and so determined to at least try their best.” [Courtesy of Arsenal.com]

This is a club with strong determination. The lads have read the press clippings, they have watched the television commentators talk up what they are expected to accomplish this season, and they know the Arsenal fan base is just waiting for a major trophy or two come rolling in this season. Yes, the pressure is on, but the players know what needs to be accomplished, and it is very apparent they understand they can only take it one game at a time.

Arsenal is in a very good spot right now. They are 3rd in the Premier League, 1st in UCL Group B, and still in the hunt for the Carabao Cup. Barring any unforeseen major injuries or major team blow-ups, we should expect to see the Gunners achieve a major of success this season.

Oh, and my the way, don’t expect many blow-outs by the Gunners the rest of this season. I predict most matches will be hard fought until the very end, much like the one at Sevilla.

COYG!

Gunner1953