Sports

Arsenal claims a comfortable victory over Sevilla

Published

2 years ago

November 9, 2023

Bukayo Saka

Arsenal claims a comfortable victory over Sevilla

LEANDRO Trossard and Bukayo Saka scored as Arsenal claimed a comfortable Champions League victory over lacklustre Sevilla.

Trossard, who started as number nine with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah both injured, swept the Gunners in front in the 29th minute.

Saka clinched the three points in the 64th minute, racing away from the defence before slotting home.

Arsenal top Group B on nine points from four games, while Sevilla are bottom of the table.

The Spanish side, who won the Europa League last season, are still looking for their first win in this Champions League campaign.

They were comprehensively outplayed by the hosts, who took a deserved lead when Trossard finished Saka’s low cross after the England winger was set away by Jorginho’s fine through-ball.

Saka turned from provider to finisher with a composed second goal, having been played through by Gabriel Martinelli.

“I’m really happy with the performance from the team,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told TNT Sports.

“They showed aggression and commitment. Even when we lost the ball we were incredibly good to get it back. It’s hard in Europe to control it how we did.”

The game ended on a concerning note for Arsenal as Saka limped off with five minutes left after twisting his ankle, however Arteta said it was only a “knock”.

PSV’s 1-0 victory over Lens denied Arsenal the chance to clinch a place in the last 16 with two matches to spare.

READ ALSO:

But Arteta’s men will qualify with a point from either of their final two group matches against Lens or PSV.

Following a strong start to the season, the past week has been testing for Arsenal. Back-to-back losses included the controversial 1-0 defeat at Newcastle, after which Arteta said the refereeing decision to allow the winner was “embarrassing” and a “disgrace”.

The Gunners have also had to deal with mounting injuries – Nketiah missed out with an ankle knock to join Jesus on the sidelines, leaving Trossard to lead the line. Captain Martin Odegaard was also absent again.

Trossard, however, eased worries about Arsenal’s forward strength with his goal and performance, and is ready to play the role again if needed.

“When I saw Jorginho on the ball I knew he would put it in behind for Saka,” the Belgian said of his opener. “It’s a great team goal and it set us up for the rest of the game.

“My biggest quality is that I can go on both feet. It doesn’t really matter for me if I play wide or inside. I have played in multiple positions in my career and it has helped me a lot.”

Injuries left Arsenal without a full bench, and there were also questions about the form of some senior players who did feature.

Kai Havertz has been a target for supporter ire – and he spurned a simple chance to hand Arsenal the lead inside a minute, heading a corner wide when unmarked five yards out.

The German also lacked conviction shortly after half-time when fed by Saka on the edge of the area following a counter-attack, but his shot was blocked.

Havertz came closer on 55 minutes when curling a fierce 18-yard effort just wide.

READ ALSO:

What Arteta needed was a straightforward night against out-of-form opposition – and against a pliant Sevilla side, he got it.

Sevilla, who are currently 15th in La Liga and just four points above the relegation zone, are top seeds in Group B in name only.

And with just two points from their first four Champions League games they are bottom of the group and facing a challenge to even drop into the Europa League.

Their tactic to sit deep and wait out Arsenal’s attacking threat fell apart within half an hour and they offered little else going forward – their only shot on target came in the seventh minute of second half stoppage time.

Sevilla’s evening was summed up by Boubakary Soumare coming on as a second-half substitute, getting booked for a foul, then injuring himself in a sliding tackle and going off after just eight minutes.

They have now failed to win any of their past nine away matches in the Champions League, and have not triumphed in England since beating Manchester United in the 2017-18 season.

The Gunners, meanwhile, have not lost at home in the group stage since September 2015 against Olympiakos, going unbeaten in their past seven fixtures.

More pertinently they have now won for the first time in three games, ending a mini-wobble.

“After the upset in the cup and on the weekend, a club like Arsenal can’t be losing three games in a row,” stand-in captain Declan Rice told TNT Sports. “The manager made that clear.

“We love it. You see how passionate Mikel Arteta is. He’s living the game through us. He’s so energetic. It really fires us up for the game.”

Arsenal claims a comfortable victory over Sevilla

Related Topics:Arsenal Bukayo Saka Sevilla

Up Next

Madrid cruises past Sporting Braga

Don't Miss

UCL: Newcastle suffer huge loss against Dortmund as Giroud header earns Milan crucial win over PSG

Sports

Lamine Yamal Fires Back: “Mocking Religion Makes You Ignorant, Racist”

Published

1 day ago

April 1, 2026

Trends Admin

Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal Fires Back: “Mocking Religion Makes You Ignorant, Racist”

Lamine Yamal has sparked widespread conversation after condemning the act of mocking religion, describing it as both ignorant and racist.

The FC Barcelona youngster issued the strong warning while reacting to offensive remarks targeting his beliefs, stressing that respect for religion and cultural differences should never be compromised.

According to Yamal, ridiculing someone’s faith goes beyond humor or free speech, and instead reflects a deeper problem of intolerance and lack of understanding in society.

He said acts of religious mockery contribute to division and hostility, especially in a world where diversity continues to grow across communities, sports, and online spaces.

READ ALSO:

The teenage football star urged fans and social media users to embrace tolerance, respect, and inclusivity, rather than spreading hate or engaging in abusive behavior.

His comments come amid rising concerns over online abuse in football, where players increasingly face attacks related to race, religion, and personal identity.

Yamal’s stance has drawn praise from supporters and observers who see his response as a bold step in addressing racism in sports and promoting unity among fans worldwide.

As conversations around freedom of expression vs hate speech continue globally, the young star’s message highlights the importance of mutual respect in maintaining harmony both on and off the pitch.

Lamine Yamal Fires Back: “Mocking Religion Makes You Ignorant, Racist”

Sports

FIFA Confirms Iran Will Play 2026 World Cup Matches in United States

Published

1 day ago

April 1, 2026

Trends Admin

FIFA President Gianni Infantino

FIFA Confirms Iran Will Play 2026 World Cup Matches in United States

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the Iran national football team will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and play its group stage matches in the United States as originally scheduled, dismissing doubts raised amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Infantino made the announcement on Tuesday during Iran’s friendly against Costa Rica in Antalya, Turkey, saying, “Iran will be at the World Cup. The matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw.” He stressed that there is no alternative plan to relocate the games, affirming FIFA’s commitment to keeping the tournament on course.

Iran had previously announced it was negotiating with FIFA to move its matches from the United States to Mexico due to security concerns linked to the ongoing US-Israeli-Iran conflict. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had expressed willingness to host the games if necessary, but FIFA confirmed all three fixtures will remain in the U.S., ensuring compliance with the official tournament draw.

READ ALSO:

The Iranian squad is drawn in Group G, alongside New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. Their matches are scheduled as follows:

Iran vs New Zealand – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, June 15, 2026
Iran vs Belgium – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, June 21, 2026
Iran vs Egypt – Lumen Field, Seattle, June 26, 2026

Infantino, who attended the friendly match in Turkey, praised the Iranian team as “very, very strong” and confirmed that players and coaches are well-prepared for the tournament. He highlighted FIFA’s principle that all qualified teams must compete according to the official schedule, unaffected by political disputes.

Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, Vice President of the Iran Football Federation (FFIRI), affirmed Iran’s commitment to FIFA’s regulations, stating: “Every host country has made commitments to FIFA and must honor them.” He said the meeting with Infantino during the friendly gave the team reassurance and a morale boost ahead of the World Cup.

Earlier, some Iranian officials, including Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, had expressed concerns over participation due to safety issues. There were even suggestions that the country might withdraw, but FIFA’s firm stance ensures Iran will compete on U.S. soil as planned.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, featuring 48 teams across multiple North American cities. Iran’s participation guarantees that Group G matches will proceed as drawn, offering fans clarity and ensuring the integrity of the tournament.

FIFA Confirms Iran Will Play 2026 World Cup Matches in United States

Sports

Osimhen Among Highest-Paid African Footballers in 2026 — See Full List

Published

2 days ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Osimhen Among Highest-Paid African Footballers in 2026 — See Full List

The highest-paid African footballers in 2026 continue to earn staggering wages, with stars in the Saudi Pro League dominating the rankings due to lucrative contracts. From Riyad Mahrez to Mohamed Salah, African players remain among the top earners in global football, earning hundreds of thousands of pounds weekly.

Leading the list is Riyad Mahrez, who earns an estimated £827,000–£886,000 per week at Al-Ahli, making him the highest-paid African footballer. He is followed by Sadio Mané, who earns around £630,000–£680,000 weekly at Al-Nassr.

Defender Kalidou Koulibaly earns about £550,000–£590,000 weekly at Al-Hilal, making him the highest-paid African defender. In Europe, Mohamed Salah continues to command massive wages of £350,000–£400,000 per week at Liverpool FC.

READ ALSO:

Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen earns between £250,000–£318,000 weekly at Galatasaray, making him one of the highest-paid Nigerian footballers.

Midfielder Franck Kessié and defender Achraf Hakimi both earn just over £220,000 per week, playing for Al-Ahli and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.

Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy earns up to £200,000 weekly, while Iñaki Williams takes home about £180,000 per week at Athletic Bilbao. Veteran striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang completes the list with weekly earnings of £150,000–£160,000 at Al-Qadsiah.

Top 10 Highest-Paid African Footballers (2026) – Weekly Salaries

Rank	Player	Club	Weekly Salary
1	Riyad Mahrez	Al-Ahli	£827,000 – £886,000
2	Sadio Mané	Al-Nassr	£630,000 – £680,000
3	Kalidou Koulibaly	Al-Hilal	£550,000 – £590,000
4	Mohamed Salah	Liverpool FC	£350,000 – £400,000
5	Victor Osimhen	Galatasaray	£250,000 – £318,000
6	Franck Kessié	Al-Ahli	£220,000 – £233,000
7	Achraf Hakimi	Paris Saint-Germain	£220,000 – £227,000
8	Edouard Mendy	Al-Ahli	£170,000 – £200,000
9	Iñaki Williams	Athletic Bilbao	~£180,000
10	Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang	Al-Qadsiah	£150,000 – £160,000

The rankings underline the growing dominance of the Saudi Pro League, which now offers significantly higher wages than most European leagues, attracting top African talent. Only a few players, such as Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi, remain among the top earners in Europe.