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Arsenal player ratings vs Sevilla: Bukayo Saka decisive as Leandro Trossard justifies key Mikel Arteta call

Arsenal player ratings vs Sevilla: Bukayo Saka decisive as Leandro Trossard justifies key Mikel Arteta call

Arsenal barely had to get out of second gear as they beat Sevilla 2-0 to move to the brink of qualification for the Champions League last-16.

Stand-in No9 Leandro Trossard opened the scoring from Bukayo Saka's cross after half-an-hour and the England winger converted coolly to make the game safe in the second half.

The visitors offered little in the way of resistance or threat, with David Raya making just one save in the dying seconds.

Here's how we rated the Arsenal players...

David Raya 7

Untroubled by Sevilla aside from one hairy moment when Mariano Diaz broke through in the second half. Played out well with his feet.

Ben White 7

Got forward well to support Saka and involved in some slick one-touch passages of play. Cleared the danger when Diaz got behind.

William Saliba 7

Tracked back to make a crucial challenge on Adria Pedrosa in Sevilla's only menacing moment of the first half but miscued a header to leave Raya exposed at 2-0. Coped well with the physical Youssef En-Nesyri.

Gabriel 8

Used the ball well and was comfortable in repelling Sevilla's repeated long balls.

Takehiro Tomiyasu 6

Solid as ever. Had next to no defending to do as Arsenal dominated the first half.

Declan Rice 8

Commanding and composed at the base of midfield, winning the ball from Erik Lamela in the build up to Trossard's goal.

Jorginho 8

Unlocked stubborn Sevilla with the killer pass to Saka for the opening goal. Perfect for this kind of game.

Kai Havertz 7

Miscued a free header from close range after just a minute but grew into the game and was lively in the second half, curling an effort just wide.

Bukayo Saka 9

Decisive. Kept his head to square to Trossard for the opening goal and took his own superbly. A constant menace down the right.

Bukayo Saka doubled Arsenal's lead after the break (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Bukayo Saka doubled Arsenal's lead after the break (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Gabriel Martinelli 8

Had the beating of Juanlu every single time. The only thing missing was a final pass -- until his superb assist for Saka.

Leandro Trossard 8

Took his goal well to justify Arteta's decision to play him up front. Sent a couple of others chances just wide in a lively display.

Subs

Oleksandr Zinchenko (Tomiyasu 45') 7

Nearly scored with a spectacular volley but his effort was too close to Marko Dmitrovic. Finished the game in midfield.

Fabio Vieira (Trosssard 81') 6

Neat cameo.

Reiss Nelson (Martinelli 81') 6

Worked hard for the last 10.

Jakob Kiwior (Saka 85') 6

Saved Saka's legs after the England winger went down clutching his calf.

Mohamed Elneny (Jorginho 90') N/A

Not used: Ramsdale, Hein, Cedric, Cozier-Duberru, Sagoe Jr.