SEVILLE, SPAIN – OCTOBER 24: Dodi Lukebakio right winger of Sevilla and Belgium and Takehiro Tomiyasu Right-Back of Arsenal and Japan during the UEFA Champions League match between Sevilla FC and Arsenal FC at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on October 24, 2023 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Jose Hernandez/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Takehiro Tomiyasu was brought in to replace Oleksander Zinchenko, who has had a few poor games. He slotted in perfectly: imperious in defence and neat and tidy in attack.
He seemingly has license to go anywhere on the pitch as he popped up in the unlikeliest of positions, including striker at one point. He did it very well, offering something different to Zinchenko’s inversion. Tomi does still invert but in a different way.
It was the culmination of a few performances that have shown that Tomiyasu really adds a different dimension to Arsenal’s defence. More comfortable defending than the Ukrainian, Arsenal sacrifices a bit of midfield control for more defensive security. When Jorginho is playing especially, Tomi makes more sense in that left-back role.
Hopefully, he builds on these performances going forward, as he is a very useful and versatile defender.
October 24, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/10/25/arsenal-standout-gabriel-jesus-champions-league-sevilla/3/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<h2></h2>
<p>It wasn’t a performance that was littered with standouts, but there were some pleasing performances.</p>
<p>Declan Rice was as consistent and impressive as ever, and he looked really good at times when other Arsenal players were being a bit sloppy. This wasn’t enough of a standout performance for him to be included, though; there are extremely high expectations of him now.</p>
<p>On the other hand, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard were poor again. Saka didn’t make the right choices when he had the ball, and Martin Odegaard was barely visible again in what is becoming a concerning trend.</p>
<p>That being said, let’s get into the standouts.</p>
<h2>3 standout players from Arsenal’s vital Champions League win</h2>
<h3>Gabriel Martinelli</h3>
<p>It took Saka eight minutes to score on his Champions League debut. His Brazilian counterpart, Gabriel Martinelli, took an embarrassingly long 48 minutes.</p>
<p>Jokes aside, it was brilliant to see Martinelli open his account so quickly with a well-taken goal. In truth, he should have scored earlier with a similar chance but was denied by Nyland from close range.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a crucial win. Extremely difficult place to go and get a positive result. Big bounce back after Lens. Huge performances from Martinelli and Jesus. Sheffield next! 🇧🇷 <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/10/25/arsenal-standout-gabriel-jesus-champions-league-sevilla/3/"https://t.co/JucmNRPudw">pic.twitter.com/JucmNRPudw
<p>— Eduardo Hagn (@EduardoHagn) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/10/25/arsenal-standout-gabriel-jesus-champions-league-sevilla/3/"https://twitter.com/EduardoHagn/status/1716922315479650571?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 24, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/10/25/arsenal-standout-gabriel-jesus-champions-league-sevilla/3/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p> </p>
<p>Sometimes, he runs so fast that I feel it can make his finishing more difficult, but he dribbled past the keeper elegantly to ensure the goal.</p>
<p>He was solid all game, not losing the ball too much and chipping in with a defensive contribution when needed. At times when the Arsenal attack looks sluggish and out of ideas, Martinelli’s pace can be a free ticket to a goal, and his presence is invaluable on the pitch. Good to have him back.</p>
<p><em>Continued on next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/10/25/arsenal-standout-gabriel-jesus-champions-league-sevilla/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Standout Player #2 </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_137132" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-137132 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/10/25/arsenal-standout-gabriel-jesus-champions-league-sevilla/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1001,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1754732046.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1001" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1754732046.jpeg 1600w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1754732046-768x480.jpeg 768w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1754732046-1536x961.jpeg 1536w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1754732046-1440x900.jpeg 1440w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">SEVILLE, SPAIN – OCTOBER 24: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Sevilla FC and Arsenal FC at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on October 24, 2023 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2>Gabriel Jesus</h2>
<p>Jesus was one of the players who underperformed against Chelsea on the weekend, so it was a great reaction from him. He seemed more composed and better on the ball, with a much better passing accuracy: 71% against Chelsea compared to 92% against Sevilla.</p>
<p>However, he’s not on the pitch for his passing prowess, and he showed his greatness in two moments today.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gabriel Jesus vs. Sevilla: </p>
<p>80 minutes played <br>4 shots<br>2 shots on target<br>1 goal<br>39 touches<br>24 passes (92% completion)<br>3 key passes <br>1 assist <br>1 long ball (100% success)</p>
<p>What a display. 🇧🇷👏 <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/10/25/arsenal-standout-gabriel-jesus-champions-league-sevilla/3/"https://t.co/AFOvvyxcJs">pic.twitter.com/AFOvvyxcJs
<p>— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/10/25/arsenal-standout-gabriel-jesus-champions-league-sevilla/3/"https://twitter.com/TikiTakaConnor/status/1716919362836463665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 24, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/10/25/arsenal-standout-gabriel-jesus-champions-league-sevilla/3/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>Firstly, it was his turn for the first goal. Jesus left two players around him for dead, sending them completely the wrong way. He then measured his pass very well, allowing Martinelli through on goal without breaking stride.</p>
<p>Then, cutting in from the left, Jesus dribbled into the penalty area and looked up for a cross. Not seeing a pass, he decided to powerfully curl it into the opposite corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance. That’s what you want to see from your centre forward!</p>
<p><em>Continued on next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/10/25/arsenal-standout-gabriel-jesus-champions-league-sevilla/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Standout Player #3 </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_137150" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-137150 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/10/25/arsenal-standout-gabriel-jesus-champions-league-sevilla/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1706,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1743354415-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1706" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1743354415-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1743354415-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1743354415-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1743354415-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:2560px;">SEVILLE, SPAIN – OCTOBER 24: Dodi Lukebakio right winger of Sevilla and Belgium and Takehiro Tomiyasu Right-Back of Arsenal and Japan during the UEFA Champions League match between Sevilla FC and Arsenal FC at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on October 24, 2023 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Jose Hernandez/Anadolu via Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2>Takehiro Tomiyasu</h2>
<p>Takehiro Tomiyasu was brought in to replace Oleksander Zinchenko, who has had a few poor games. He slotted in perfectly: imperious in defence and neat and tidy in attack.</p>
<p>He seemingly has license to go anywhere on the pitch as he popped up in the unlikeliest of positions, including striker at one point. He did it very well, offering something different to Zinchenko’s inversion. Tomi does still invert but in a different way.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Declan Rice and Takehiro Tomiyasu, you have rocked my world. Gargantuan performances. <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/10/25/arsenal-standout-gabriel-jesus-champions-league-sevilla/3/"https://t.co/ggaYCLc00H">pic.twitter.com/ggaYCLc00H
<p>— Doc (@karthikadhaigal) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/10/25/arsenal-standout-gabriel-jesus-champions-league-sevilla/3/"https://twitter.com/karthikadhaigal/status/1716922045060243613?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 24, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/10/25/arsenal-standout-gabriel-jesus-champions-league-sevilla/3/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>It was the culmination of a few performances that have shown that Tomiyasu really adds a different dimension to Arsenal’s defence. More comfortable defending than the Ukrainian, Arsenal sacrifices a bit of midfield control for more defensive security. When Jorginho is playing especially, Tomi makes more sense in that left-back role.</p>
<p>Hopefully, he builds on these performances going forward, as he is a very useful and versatile defender.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
