Match Report: Arsenal 1-2 Sevilla
Arsenal won the Emirates Cup 2017, despite losing 2-1 to Sevilla on Sunday evening, thanks to their superior goals tally.
The Gunners named a strong starting line-up with Petr Cech starting in goal, while Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal were partnered by Mohamed Elneny in the three-man backline. Hector Bellerin and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain occupied the wing-back positions, with Aaron Ramsey and Joe Willock in the midfield. The attacking trident comprised of Danny Welbeck, Mesut Ozil and club-record signing Alexandre Lacazette.
Arsenal started off the game on a strong note, but it was Sevilla who came the closest to scoring when Wissam Ben Yedder hit the post in the 15th minute. The visitors also had a penalty appeal soon after, when Nolito’s cross struck Willock, but it was rightly not given.
Bellerin had a great chance to put the home team ahead in the 22nd minute, after some great work by Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lacazette. Both the teams looked up for it and Sevilla came ever so close to opening the scoring on the verge of half-time, after Ever Banega put Nolito through on goal. But the former Manchester City man tried to square it to Ben Yedder instead of going for the goal and Koscielny intervened. The half ended goalless.
Wenger made a change at half-time, with Cohen Bramall replacing Bellerin, while the visitors too made two changes with Sergio Rico and Walter Montoya replacing David Soria and Nolito respectively. Four minutes into the second half, it was Sevilla who broke the deadlock through Angel Correa, who finished a neat pass off Ben Yedder.
Lacazette saw an effort saved comfortably by Rico, after a beautiful move involving Ozil and Ramsey soon after. Just after the hour mark, the Gunners were back on level terms through their record signing, after the Ox did brilliantly down the right-hand side to go on a run and find the Frenchman in the box. However, the parity did not last for long as Steven N’Zonzi struck a sublime goal from 25 yards out in the 69th minute to put Sevilla back in the driver’s seat.
Theo Walcott replaced Lacazette, who was limping heavily, with less than 15 minutes to spare. Ramsey had an effort at goal from distance, late in the game, but couldn’t trouble the goalkeeper. Sevilla couldn’t produce another goal that could have gotten them the trophy as the game ended 2-1, with Wenger’s men sealing the Emirates Cup triumph.
Arsenal may have lost the game, but there were a number of positives coming out, as Lacazette scored his first goal at the Emirates, but him limping off will be a concern though. Oxlade-Chamberlain was a force of nature out on the flanks as well.
Here are a few reactions from the social media following the game.
https://twitter.com/mrtitocee/status/891702325152296964
Champions of the Emirates Cup you'll never sing that!
— P™ (@SemperFiArsenal) July 30, 2017
Arsenal retain the Emirates Cup on goals scored… 😉 pic.twitter.com/sgHLEmleEc
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 30, 2017
THE TREBLE IS ON LADS
— ⚔️ ☬ (@ThatGuyJSR) July 30, 2017
Won one and lost one yet you win the trophy over a team that won both games, yeah, totally fair competition, Arsenal were awful today.
— Daniel Auton (@DanAuton2590) July 30, 2017
We make our own rules btw 😂😂
— P™ (@SemperFiArsenal) July 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/Ravi_Karia9/status/891707369931104257
We made the most of our Rule..😂😂
Sevilla with 2 wins finishing 2nd..— Priyanका राऊत (@PriyaRaut_AFC) July 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/Francklegunner/status/891707643546480640
https://twitter.com/AllAboutTheAFC/status/891708475625156608