Arsenal line-ups vs Sevilla as Tomiyasu starts, Gabriel Jesus dropped and Raya decision made

Arsenal are back in UEFA Champions League action on Tuesday night and it’s safe to say all eyes will be on Mikel Arteta’s team selection for the Group B clash against Sevilla.

And on the back of the 2-2 draw with Chelsea at the weekend, one or two positions in the line-up are certainly up for debate. Specifically in goal as David Raya produced another less-than-convincing performance at Stamford Bridge and the calls for him to be replaced by Aaron Ramsdale are getting louder.

Sticking in defence and Oleksandr Zinchenko didn’t cover himself in glory against the Blues either. So much so that some supporters are calling for the Ukraine international to be dropped in favour of Takehiro Tomiyasu who was defensively sound during the second half on Saturday.

Despite a relatively slow start to the campaign, history proves Sevilla are a tough nut to crack especially at home in European competition. They need a victory having taken two points from a possible six in Group B so far.

After losing on matchday two against RC Lens, the north London outfit can’t afford another defeat therefore it’s crucial that Arteta gets this line-up right. Thankfully for him, football.london’s writers are on hand to help. Below is who they think should start for Arsenal against Sevilla.

Kaya Kaynak – Chief Arsenal Writer

If I were Mikel Arteta I’d be looking to bring Aaron Ramsdale back in for this one now that he’s available. You can just about get away with it as a different competition thing so you don’t risk killing David Raya and can bring him back in for Sheffield United at the weekend.

In the back four, I think this a game where Arsenal need defensive security. As a result I’m rewarding Takehiro Tomiyasu for his impressive cameo against Chelsea with a start this time. In midfield, I’m bringing back Thomas Partey at the base. Jorginho is a superb player, but I think it’s a game where Partey deserves a start.

In front of him I’m playing the superb Declan Rice, and I’m sticking with Martin Odegaard despite a poor performance on Saturday. Up front I’m sticking with the same front three that played against Chelsea. Saka didn’t look fully fit though, so if the job gets done nice and early I’m definitely bringing on Trossard as soon as possible.

Kaynak’s Arsenal XI vs Sevilla: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.

Tom Canton – Arsenal Writer

A must-win game for Arsenal in the Champions League following defeat in their previous clash in the group stage with RC Lens. The Gunners need to get their European campaign back on track and hence the very strong line-up for Tuesday night.

Aaron Ramsdale is my goalkeeper for the match. Having heard plenty from Mikel Arteta about the situation in net, I’d like to see the England international given a chance to showcase his argument to reclaim the No.1 spot. Takehiro Tomiyasu impressed when coming on against Chelsea for the struggling Oleksandr Zinchenko. Therefore I’d like to see the Japanese international join William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White in defence.

Thomas Partey was an unused substitute at the weekend so should be ready to go for the battle in Spain. Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard complete what for most would be the dream trio to start all games.

Up top and after a disappointing game with Chelsea, Gabriel Jesus makes way for Kai Havertz. Arsenal will need some physicality in Seville and the German is the man to bring it and I’d love to see Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli flank the combative centre-forward who needs more chances closer to the goal.

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Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Sevilla: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.

Tashan Deniran-Alleyne – Arsenal Writer

Let’s get the big decision out of the way immediately. David Raya continues in goal for me. That might be an unpopular choice, but I think the reaction to his performances is being blown well out of proportion. Whilst he’s not been convincing, I don’t think his form warrants being dropped.

Furthermore, this is the Champions League and the idea of rotating goalkeepers doesn’t sit well with me. The Spaniard is clearly the first-choice option at the moment and with qualification by no means guaranteed at this point, Mikel Arteta has to pick his strongest possible team.

Having said that, one of two changes I would make from the Chelsea game is in front of Raya with Takehiro Tomiyasu getting the nod at left-back over Oleksandr Zinchenko as I feel this is a fixture where Arsenal need to be rock solid defensively and the Japan international offers that more so than the Ukrainian.

Thomas Partey, who should be fresh, can come into midfield at the expense of Jorginho. But the rest of the team is unchanged from the weekend as I can’t imagine Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus will be as quiet as they were against Chelsea.

Deniran-Alleyne’s Arsenal XI vs Sevilla: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Partey, Odegaard, Rice; Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli.