Gabriel Jesus scored a goal and grabbed an assist to help Arsenal get back to winning ways in the Champions League with victory at Sevilla.
After losing 2-1 to Lens in their previous European outing, the Gunners came through a difficult test against the seven-time Europa League winners.
Gabriel Martinelli got the visitors off and running by marking his Champions League debut with a goal, racing on to Jesus’ brilliant ball and rounding the goalkeeper in first-half stoppage time.
Jesus then increased Arsenal’s lead early in the second half with a superb strike into the top corner.
Sevilla, backed by a vocal home crowd, got back into the game when Nemanja Gudelj headed in from a set-piece.
From then on, Arsenal had to withstand some pressure as the hosts tried to find an equaliser, and David Raya tipped Mariano’s shot on to the crossbar, although it may not have counted because of a possible handball.
Mikel Arteta’s side then suffered a late blow as Jesus went off with a suspected hamstring injury, but they held firm to secure a victory that moves them top of Group B.
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Jesus makes his mark but ‘not good news’ on injury
The Gunners are back in the Champions League after a six-year absence but have a squad that is still finding its feet in the competition, with several players having never played in it until this season.
That included the scorer of Arsenal’s opening goal, Martinelli, but he will be thankful for Jesus’ European experience, which showed in this performance.
Facing a hostile atmosphere at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, the Gunners needed their big players to step up and Jesus did just that with a superb display.
A Champions League runner-up with Manchester City in 2021, Jesus’ assist for the opener was a thing of beauty as he brought the ball down and then spun to beat two players with one movement, before showing great vision to send Martinelli away with a perfect pass.
His goal in the second half gave the visitors the breathing space they needed as Sevilla piled on the pressure looking to rescue something from the game.
With three goals in three Champions League games this season, Jesus is a crucial player in Europe for the Gunners.
However, he faces a spell on the sidelines as Arteta confirmed after the match that he went off late on with a possible hamstring injury.
Arteta told TNT Sports: “He straight away asked to be subbed which is not good news because Gabriel is not a player who does that at all.
“We will have to wait and see in the next few days.”
