Arsenal against Sevilla

Arsenal under siege at the moment with crosses coming in from both flanks but so far the hosts are holding firm.

Very dangerous spell for Sevilla. Two chance in as many minutes as Renato fires a 25-yard effort five yards over the bar.

Terrific chance for Kanoute to set up a grandstand finish. The ball fell kindly to him on the edge of the box and he half volleyed inches wide.

Arsenal make a change and introduce Eduardo for the excellent Adebayor. He?s worked tirelessly this evening and receives a warm applause.

Poor decision from the linesman sees Kanoute given offside when he was clearly level. Real let-off for Arsenal, not sure how many more of those they'll get.

By the way, Manchester United are 1-0 up in their tie in Lisbon. Cristiano Ronaldo has netted on his return to his boyhood club.

Alves takes it but Van Persie heads clear. Wasted delivery from the talented right-back.

Almunia comes out to smother a long ball aimed for Kanoute. A goal is certainly not beyond Sevilla's means and they've been handed a free-kick on the edge of the box. This could be dangerous.

Sagna is getting it all his own way down the right and stands up a cross to the back post for Van Persie who arrives late and slides in his shot. The keeper gets across and palms behind.

But up the other end Adebayor almost puts the game beyond doubt. Sagna drove down the right and clipped a pin-point cross in for the striker who glanced his header agonisingly wide. Fine, flowing move from the hosts.

Sevilla dominating at the moment and Arsenal have dropped deeper than any time in the match. That's inviting Sevilla to come at the Gunners and try their luck.

They've looked shaky in defence all night have Arsenal, and Ramos may have seen a way through.

This should mix things up for the visitors. Ramos will be hoping for the new boys to spring a few surprises on this defence.

Double switch for Sevilla. Capel and Marti come off for Renato and Keita.

Nervy moment for Arsenal and they escape. A bobbling cross is poorly defended and Sevilla are almost gifted a goalscoring chance.

The home fans have perked up considerably and it looks like Ramos will make a change to try and quieten the raucous crowd.

Arsenal are certainly buoyed by their second but will need to stay switched on for the remaining 30 minutes.

He hasn't done an awful lot tonight, but Van Persie was in the right place a the right time to steer in Arsenal's second.

Poachers goal for ROBIN VAN PERSIE gives Arsenal some breathing space. Fabregas' dangerous free-kick was met with the deftest of flicks and Van Persie diverted home from five yards out.

GOAL: ARSENAL 2-0 PORTO

Van Persie takes a knock in the face from Alves - completely unintentional but it means play will be halted momentarily.

Adebayor, as usual for Arsenal, is working his socks off up front. He's holding the ball up nicely and giving the Gunners an important target up top.

Lovely intricate passing from Arsenal but nothing created from it. It looks neat but Palop isn't being tested in the Sevilla goal.

Ramos has never lost to an English side and his charges are pressing the Gunners in search of an equaliser.

The game is again being played at a very lively pace. It's more open this half too and Sevilla are creating alot more room in dangerous areas.

His first involvement is to feed Van Persie with a dangerous pass. The Dutchman can't get hold of it and the keeper rushes off his line to gather.

Change for Arsenal sees Rosicky hobble off with a knock. Abou Diaby comes on to replace him and take up his position down the left flank.

First card of the night and Adebayor is the guilty man after an awkward challenge on Fazio. Not much in it really but it's not the first time he's done it tonight.

Navas is proving a tricky character for Clichy and the Frenchman has felled him a few times tonight. The latest free-kick is fumbled by Almunia but gathered at the second attempt.

Exquisite pass from Rosicky plays in Adebayor down the left channel and the big Togon tries to slide in Van Persie but Fazio is across to tidy up. Lovely break from Arsenal.

Arsenal start the second half.

The players are back out and we're ready for the second half. No changes for Arsenal but Sevilla bring on Kerzhakov for Luis Fabiano up front.

Arsenal survive Kanoute's miss on the stroke of half-time to lead at the break. Fabregas' deflected drive off Escude separates the sides but you feel there's goals in both sides yet. Stay with us for the second half. I need a cuppa!

HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 1-0 SEVILLA

Terrible defending from Senderos almost hands Kanoute a leveller. The Swiss completely left his marker and Kanoute ghosted in behind him and just failed to connect with Capel's dangerous cross. Had he made contact, Arsenal would have been heading into the break all square.

Kanoute is just starting to come into the game more in these last minutes and that's a worry for Arsenal. The lanky striker has been quiet so far but is starting to show some neat touches in and around the box.

Right down the other end, Kanoute stings the hands of Almunia with a rasping drive from the right corner of the box. Decent effort from the Malian.

To the annoyance of Fabregas, Flamini slashes a shot from range which is easily pounced upon by Palop. Waste.

That's two chances that Arsenal have squandered in the last 10 minutes and Sevilla are certainly one of those sides who can make a team pay. Arsenal still pressing, though.

Adebayor buys himself some room down the left with great pace and strength and surges into the box. His shot though, spoons embarassingly wide.

Navas, not for the first time, cracks a wild effort from a tight angle that sails comfortably wide.

It's tight and compact in the centre of the park and Sevilla are working hard to stop Fabregas and Hleb spreading the play.

The tempo has risen again and the quick, slick passing has returned to Arsenal's game. Likewise it's brought Sevilla out of their shell also and making for an intruiging contest.

Wonderful chance for Toure to extend the lead. From Fabregas' corner the centre back rises and heads wide when he really should have hit the back of the net.

The reason for Arsenal's indecision at the back is largely due to Fabiano and Kanoute's fine running and moving off the ball. Very intelligent attacking from the front two.

The Arsenal back four don't look comfortable at all tonight. They've got away with a few dodgy clearances so far but it's not clicking for Toure and Senderos.

There will be arguments about who will get the goal but Arsenal won't mind too much. They've had a couple of opportunities where the luck has deserted them, but this one fell very kindly for them.

It's came out of nothing and it is a huge slice of fortune for the Gunners but CESC FABREGAS won't mind. With nothing on for the Spaniard he decides to have a pop, and his effort takes a huge deflection off Escude's backside and completely deceives Palop.

GOAL: ARSENAL 1-0 SEVILLA

Poulsen makes an important block to repel the Van Persie curler and Sevilla clear. Needs to be better quality than that, Robin.

Arsenal win a free-kick down the right channel and Van Persie lines it up.

Sevilla look very well disciplined at the back and are quick to get numbers behind the ball. van Persie picks it up from 25 yards and is forced to hit one and it trickles wide. Fine defending from the visitors.

Not much better in midfield either as some simple passing goes astray. Rosicky is chief culprit on this occassion but Hleb and Flamini have put a few astray also.

There's a little bit of chat going on between Sagna and Toure at the back. They don't look too pleased with each other and the home side are not firing on all cylinders in that department.

Well to deep from Navas though and Arsenal are gited a goal kick.

Down the other end, Rosicky is harshly adjuged to have felled Capel. Dangerous position for Sevilla - 10 yards in from the corner flag.

Flamini's lobbed ball forward almost sets Adbayor away. Escude is quickly across to make the telling interception and halt the big man in his tracks.

A nasty blow on the head gives Ramos time to bark some instructions at Capel who himself has been linked with a move to Arsenal.

A slight lull in proceedings as both teams look to re-establish some authority.

Arsenal may have been buoyed by those two snap shots on goal but they're guilty of giving the ball away too easily in midfield and Sevilla look dangerous on the counter.

Two chances in two minutes as Flamini cracks an effort from the edge of the box which is again parried by Palop. The rebound almost falls to Adebayor but the stopper just gets there in time to smother the danger.

Decent chance for the Dutchman and Palop was surprised by the effort.

The tempo has slowed slightly after those frenetic first minutes, but out of nowhere Van Persie embarks on a run through the middle and has a pop with his weaker right foot that forces Palop to parry behind.

Sevilla, in black tonight, are slowly but surely cutting into Arsenal. Some telling runs in behind the Gunners defence are unsettling Senderos and co so far.

Corner from Sevilla and Almunia is called into action for the first time. He makes a confident punch to clear his lines and Arsenal survive their second corner.

Sevilla start to gain a foothold in the midfield after a frantic couple of minutes for Arsenal. Capel and Navas are making good progress down their flanks.

Navas is seeing alot of the ball for Sevilla and that's a worry for Arsenal. He tries his luck from distance and almost catches Almunia sleeping. Thankfully for the keeper it whistles over.

Marti whips it over but Van Persie heads clear at the front post.

Encouraging from Sevilla. Navas and Alves combine well down the left to force a corner.

Fabregas dinks a cheeky cross in for Van Persie but it rolls through to Palop. Lively start from the hosts.

Good early buzz around the stadium and on the pitch too. Arsenal look in a hurry to get on with things.

Good early passing from the Gunners. Quick passing, and neat moving presents Adebayor with a half chance on the edge of the area but he scuffs it wide.

A little later than advertised, Sevilla get the game under way.

That famous anthemn rings out around the ground and the teams are introduced to the crowd. I'm right up for this now, hope you are too.

He we go then. The players are in the tunnel and ready to emerge. Plenty of banter in the tunnel, not least from Gilberto and Fabregas and a few of the Sevilla lads.

Sevilla - coached by Tottenham target Juande Ramos - had a familiar face in their starting XI, as former Spurs striker Frederic Kanoute looked to get one over his old adversaries. Former Chelsea defender Khalid Boulahrouz was on the bench.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger decided to change a winning side for the visit of Sevilla. Philippe Senderos returned from a domestic suspension to start at the centre of defence, with veteran Brazilian Gilberto rested to the bench as Tomas Rosicky started in midfield. Croatian striker Eduardo Da Silva was among the Arsenal substitutes, along with Theo Walcott and recent signing Lassana Diarra.

Evening all. Night two of our Champions League coverage and tonight our focus is on Arsenal and Sevilla. Arsenal begin their campaign at the Emirates against the tricky Spanish side, while other British interests lie with Manchester United in Lisbon and Rangers face Stuttgart.

The home fans have perked up considerably and it looks like Ramos will make a change to try and quieten the raucous crowd.

Arsenal are certainly buoyed by their second but will need to stay switched on for the remaining 30 minutes.

He hasn't done an awful lot tonight, but Van Persie was in the right place a the right time to steer in Arsenal's second.

Poachers goal for ROBIN VAN PERSIE gives Arsenal some breathing space. Fabregas' dangerous free-kick was met with the deftest of flicks and Van Persie diverted home from five yards out.

GOAL: ARSENAL 2-0 PORTO

Van Persie takes a knock in the face from Alves - completely unintentional but it means play will be halted momentarily.

Adebayor, as usual for Arsenal, is working his socks off up front. He's holding the ball up nicely and giving the Gunners an important target up top.

Lovely intricate passing from Arsenal but nothing created from it. It looks neat but Palop isn't being tested in the Sevilla goal.

Ramos has never lost to an English side and his charges are pressing the Gunners in search of an equaliser.

The game is again being played at a very lively pace. It's more open this half too and Sevilla are creating alot more room in dangerous areas.

His first involvement is to feed Van Persie with a dangerous pass. The Dutchman can't get hold of it and the keeper rushes off his line to gather.

Change for Arsenal sees Rosicky hobble off with a knock. Abou Diaby comes on to replace him and take up his position down the left flank.

First card of the night and Adebayor is the guilty man after an awkward challenge on Fazio. Not much in it really but it's not the first time he's done it tonight.

Navas is proving a tricky character for Clichy and the Frenchman has felled him a few times tonight. The latest free-kick is fumbled by Almunia but gathered at the second attempt.

Exquisite pass from Rosicky plays in Adebayor down the left channel and the big Togon tries to slide in Van Persie but Fazio is across to tidy up. Lovely break from Arsenal.

Arsenal start the second half.

The players are back out and we're ready for the second half. No changes for Arsenal but Sevilla bring on Kerzhakov for Luis Fabiano up front.

Arsenal survive Kanoute's miss on the stroke of half-time to lead at the break. Fabregas' deflected drive off Escude separates the sides but you feel there's goals in both sides yet. Stay with us for the second half. I need a cuppa!

HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 1-0 SEVILLA

Terrible defending from Senderos almost hands Kanoute a leveller. The Swiss completely left his marker and Kanoute ghosted in behind him and just failed to connect with Capel's dangerous cross. Had he made contact, Arsenal would have been heading into the break all square.

Kanoute is just starting to come into the game more in these last minutes and that's a worry for Arsenal. The lanky striker has been quiet so far but is starting to show some neat touches in and around the box.

Right down the other end, Kanoute stings the hands of Almunia with a rasping drive from the right corner of the box. Decent effort from the Malian.

To the annoyance of Fabregas, Flamini slashes a shot from range which is easily pounced upon by Palop. Waste.

That's two chances that Arsenal have squandered in the last 10 minutes and Sevilla are certainly one of those sides who can make a team pay. Arsenal still pressing, though.

Adebayor buys himself some room down the left with great pace and strength and surges into the box. His shot though, spoons embarassingly wide.

Navas, not for the first time, cracks a wild effort from a tight angle that sails comfortably wide.

It's tight and compact in the centre of the park and Sevilla are working hard to stop Fabregas and Hleb spreading the play.

The tempo has risen again and the quick, slick passing has returned to Arsenal's game. Likewise it's brought Sevilla out of their shell also and making for an intruiging contest.

Wonderful chance for Toure to extend the lead. From Fabregas' corner the centre back rises and heads wide when he really should have hit the back of the net.

The reason for Arsenal's indecision at the back is largely due to Fabiano and Kanoute's fine running and moving off the ball. Very intelligent attacking from the front two.

The Arsenal back four don't look comfortable at all tonight. They've got away with a few dodgy clearances so far but it's not clicking for Toure and Senderos.

There will be arguments about who will get the goal but Arsenal won't mind too much. They've had a couple of opportunities where the luck has deserted them, but this one fell very kindly for them.

It's came out of nothing and it is a huge slice of fortune for the Gunners but CESC FABREGAS won't mind. With nothing on for the Spaniard he decides to have a pop, and his effort takes a huge deflection off Escude's backside and completely deceives Palop.

GOAL: ARSENAL 1-0 SEVILLA

Poulsen makes an important block to repel the Van Persie curler and Sevilla clear. Needs to be better quality than that, Robin.

Arsenal win a free-kick down the right channel and Van Persie lines it up.

Sevilla look very well disciplined at the back and are quick to get numbers behind the ball. van Persie picks it up from 25 yards and is forced to hit one and it trickles wide. Fine defending from the visitors.

Not much better in midfield either as some simple passing goes astray. Rosicky is chief culprit on this occassion but Hleb and Flamini have put a few astray also.

There's a little bit of chat going on between Sagna and Toure at the back. They don't look too pleased with each other and the home side are not firing on all cylinders in that department.

Well to deep from Navas though and Arsenal are gited a goal kick.

Down the other end, Rosicky is harshly adjuged to have felled Capel. Dangerous position for Sevilla - 10 yards in from the corner flag.

Flamini's lobbed ball forward almost sets Adbayor away. Escude is quickly across to make the telling interception and halt the big man in his tracks.

A nasty blow on the head gives Ramos time to bark some instructions at Capel who himself has been linked with a move to Arsenal.

A slight lull in proceedings as both teams look to re-establish some authority.

Arsenal may have been buoyed by those two snap shots on goal but they're guilty of giving the ball away too easily in midfield and Sevilla look dangerous on the counter.

Two chances in two minutes as Flamini cracks an effort from the edge of the box which is again parried by Palop. The rebound almost falls to Adebayor but the stopper just gets there in time to smother the danger.

Decent chance for the Dutchman and Palop was surprised by the effort.

The tempo has slowed slightly after those frenetic first minutes, but out of nowhere Van Persie embarks on a run through the middle and has a pop with his weaker right foot that forces Palop to parry behind.

Sevilla, in black tonight, are slowly but surely cutting into Arsenal. Some telling runs in behind the Gunners defence are unsettling Senderos and co so far.

Corner from Sevilla and Almunia is called into action for the first time. He makes a confident punch to clear his lines and Arsenal survive their second corner.

Sevilla start to gain a foothold in the midfield after a frantic couple of minutes for Arsenal. Capel and Navas are making good progress down their flanks.

Navas is seeing alot of the ball for Sevilla and that's a worry for Arsenal. He tries his luck from distance and almost catches Almunia sleeping. Thankfully for the keeper it whistles over.

Marti whips it over but Van Persie heads clear at the front post.

Encouraging from Sevilla. Navas and Alves combine well down the left to force a corner.

Fabregas dinks a cheeky cross in for Van Persie but it rolls through to Palop. Lively start from the hosts.

Good early buzz around the stadium and on the pitch too. Arsenal look in a hurry to get on with things.

Good early passing from the Gunners. Quick passing, and neat moving presents Adebayor with a half chance on the edge of the area but he scuffs it wide.

A little later than advertised, Sevilla get the game under way.

That famous anthemn rings out around the ground and the teams are introduced to the crowd. I'm right up for this now, hope you are too.

He we go then. The players are in the tunnel and ready to emerge. Plenty of banter in the tunnel, not least from Gilberto and Fabregas and a few of the Sevilla lads.

Sevilla - coached by Tottenham target Juande Ramos - had a familiar face in their starting XI, as former Spurs striker Frederic Kanoute looked to get one over his old adversaries. Former Chelsea defender Khalid Boulahrouz was on the bench.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger decided to change a winning side for the visit of Sevilla. Philippe Senderos returned from a domestic suspension to start at the centre of defence, with veteran Brazilian Gilberto rested to the bench as Tomas Rosicky started in midfield. Croatian striker Eduardo Da Silva was among the Arsenal substitutes, along with Theo Walcott and recent signing Lassana Diarra.

Evening all. Night two of our Champions League coverage and tonight our focus is on Arsenal and Sevilla. Arsenal begin their campaign at the Emirates against the tricky Spanish side, while other British interests lie with Manchester United in Lisbon and Rangers face Stuttgart.