Arsenal Scrape Sevilla Draw

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger decided to shake up his first team by fielding a completely different side to those who came back to defeat Ajax 2-3. Philipe Senderos is named captain amongst a team that holds an average age of 19. Sevilla manager Manolo Jiminez named a strong Sevilla eleven, with youth products Diego Capel and Jesus Navas providing the width.

The match got off to a quick start. Mexican forward Carlos Vela granted Arsenal an extra point in the Amsterdam Tournament by quickly closing down the defence on the left flank, dribbling into the box, and neatly shooting across goalkeeper Varas to give the Gunners a lead within the first five minutes.

Capel looked sharp and posed the biggest threat to Arsenal from the Andalusian ranks. He continuously impressed in the first quarter of an hour with deft touches before zipping down the left flank, leaving a collection of yellow Arsenal shirts behind, saw Navas making a run from the right and played him through, but Navas can only find the palms of Lukasz Fabianski with his cross.

Most of the play was in Arsenal's half. The Spanish Super Cup champions playing in typical Sevilla style as they use the full width of Amsterdam Arena's pitch. Arsenal's young guns seemed content to let Sevilla have possession. Arsenal's Polish glovesman positively commanded his area however, and must have magnets on the inside of his mitts as Navas' balls are guided straight to the keeper.

Midway through the first-half Arsenal get their passing game together and Aaron Ramsey tests Varas with a low drive. Thirty seconds later, the Welsh dangerman fed Bendtner with a clever high pass but the big Dane is put off his shot by the retreating Mosquera.

Fabianski denied an almost certain goal from Kone on the 37th minute. The play began from a Maresca corner kick, there was confusion in the middle of the area and the ball found its way into the path of Navas, Jesus rolled a slow pass into the middle of the 6-year box but Aroune Kone smashed the ball directly at the Pole.

Uruguayan forward Chevanton came on for Sevilla in the second half and looked eager to level the scoreline. His first shot was never going to trouble Fabianski as it soared high and wide, but for his second he was released quite early, ran into the box, only for the Arsenal guardian to quickly step off his line and deny the 27-year old. The number 19s next shot was powerfully hit and looked certain to hit the top corner of Arsenal's net, had it not been for a strong hand from Lukasz.

Chevanton proved to be an inspired substitution from Jiminez, nutmegging Nicklas Bentdner and leaving him for dead, only for his final ball to be lacking. Sevilla were certainly pressurising, but another strike - this time from Navas - was again high and wide. If the Spanish team were to get anything from this tournament then they would have to take their chances - it is clear they missed Kanoute.

As the second-half approached the 75th minute chances fell to Sevilla but there was still no breakthrough. Posing just as equal a threat from set-pieces as in normal play, Sevilla continued to trouble the defence but Fabianski looked set to receive the man of the match as he continued to foil attacks.

That was until Jesus Navas, on the 80th minute, fooled Arsenal’s defence with a ball through the legs and laid a perfect pass onto the in-running Chevanton - who tucked the ball into the net from about eight yards.

Just before time, substitute Romaric had an opportunity to win the game for Sevilla. A corner came out to the Ivorian, who, from 25 yards, unleashed a low drive but Fabianski caught the ball untroubled.

The match finished as a score draw. A much fairer reflection on the days proceedings due to Sevilla enjoying much more of the ball. Accumulating 8 points over the tournament, Arsenal top the table and look set to claim the trophy.

Line Ups:

Arsenal - Fabianski, J Hoyte, Djourou, Senderos, Gibbs, Wilshere, Randall, Ramsey, Emmanuel-Thomas, Bendtner, Vela.

Sevilla - Varas, Konko, Mosquera, Prieto, Crespo, Navas, Renato, Maresca, Capel, Kone, Fabiano.

Alan Dawson