Saka 'semi-limping' after Sevilla defenders 'target' him but he makes them pay

The England international started in fine fashion, leaving Sevilla defenders dizzy in an enthralling opening 45 minutes in the Champions League clash at the Emirates Stadium.

It became quickly evident to Sevilla duo Nemanja Gudelj and Kike Salas that the best way to stop Saka was to foul him.

And after taking some damage, the 22-year-old looked a little worse for wear - as talkSPORT's Alex Crook detailed in north London on Wednesday night.

"Two players doubled up on Saja, trod on his foot and pulled him this way and that.

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"They are targeting Bukayo Saka, trying to get stuck into him.

"He is actually semi-limping at the moment, Bukayo Saka standing up well and winning free-kicks but clearly being targeted."

While Saka had to deal with kicks and pulls, he reaped his own kind of revenge by supplying the opening goal.

After a sensational pass from Jorginho to release the forward down the right-hand flank, Saka had the simple task of picking a pass.

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He rolled a perfect cut-back to Leandro Trossard after breaking the offside trap, leaving the Belgian with an easy tap-in to give Arsenal the lead against Sevilla.

The home side dominated in the first half with the Spanish outfit unable to barely get out of their own half.

Arsenal finished the first half with 72 per cent possession with Sevilla failing to even have a single shot.

Saka could have got on the scoresheet himself but his free-kick blazed over the bar while Gabriel Martinelli was dangerous on the other flank as well.

Kai Havertz had earlier been given a golden chance to score his first open-play goal for Arsenal in the second minute.

A corner from Gabriel Martinelli found the German unmarked at the far post but his effort lacked any conviction and went harmlessly wide.

Havertz then went close early in the second half as his curling strike whistled just past the post.