Gabriel Jesus continued his love affair with the Champions League with a fine goal and assist as he led Arsenal to a 2-1 victory over Sevilla.
The Brazil forward may not boast the most prolific strike record but he has now scored an impressive 23 goals in 41 appearances in Europe’s elite club competition and he was the difference here as the Gunners won.
A piece of magic from Jesus set up compatriot Gabriel Martinelli to open the scoring on the stroke of half-time before he doubled the lead with a fine, curling finish of his own – although he later limped off having moments earlier held his hamstring.
A thunderous Nemanja Gudelj header reduced the arrears on the hour but Mikel Arteta’s side saw out the closing stages to secure victory, moving top of Group B in the process. Arsenal then took the lead, having escaped another Sevilla attack they broke at pace, and a fine touch and perfectly weighted pass from Jesus set Martinelli in behind. This time the Brazilian made no mistake, calmly rounding Nyland before rolling the ball into an empty net.
The Gunners should have doubled their lead soon after the restart but captain Martin Odegaard blazed over when well-placed inside the box. Jesus, though, was in a confident mood and extended the advantage with a fine solo goal, moving in off the left to curl a finish past Nyland.
Sevilla responded well and got themselves back into the contest when Gudelj powered a header past Raya from Ivan Rakitic’s corner. The Europa League holders came within inches of equalising soon after, as substitute Mariano Diaz’s strike was tipped onto the crossbar by Raya.