It is on those Champions League nights, away from home, on soil that has long been troublesome, that a piece of magic is required.

Anything to get yourselves going. The last time Arsenal won away from home in this competition was December 2016, when they beat Basle 4-1.

Last night, Gabriel Jesus produced not one, but two moments of magic that has put the Gunners top of their Champions League group — but they face a nervy wait regarding a potential hamstring injury for the Brazilian, who left the field with nine minutes left.

The first half was seconds away from being wrapped up, a Sevilla corner having been cleared to Jesus near the halfway line. The striker held off two defenders, produced a turn only those with elasticity in their ankles could even attempt, before playing an accurate through-ball to Gabriel Martinelli.

His fellow Brazilian marched down the pitch, almost alone, to go around goalkeeper Orjan Nyland and finish. That was a mere taster for what was to come on 53 minutes.

Gabriel Jesus (left) and Gabriel Martinelli (right) got the goals as Arsenal secured a huge victory over Sevilla

Gabriel Jesus (left) and Gabriel Martinelli (right) got the goals as Arsenal secured a huge victory over Sevilla

Gabriel Jesus (left) and Gabriel Martinelli (right) got the goals as Arsenal secured a huge victory over Sevilla

Jesus celebrates after doubling his side's lead with a brilliant strike shortly after half-time at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan

Jesus celebrates after doubling his side's lead with a brilliant strike shortly after half-time at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan

Jesus celebrates after doubling his side’s lead with a brilliant strike shortly after half-time at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan

The Gunners moved top of their group and are now in a great position to qualify for the latter stages of the tournament

The Gunners moved top of their group and are now in a great position to qualify for the latter stages of the tournament

The Gunners moved top of their group and are now in a great position to qualify for the latter stages of the tournament 

Mikel Arteta looked delighted after watching his side claim a massive win in the Champions League on Tuesday

Mikel Arteta looked delighted after watching his side claim a massive win in the Champions League on Tuesday

Mikel Arteta looked delighted after watching his side claim a massive win in the Champions League on Tuesday 

That was when Jesus drove down the left wing and cut in to unleash a curling shot from just within the box into the top corner. The goal was his fourth of the season, the third in this competition. 

MATCH FACTS AND PLAYER RATINGS

SEVILLA (4-2-3-1): Nyland 5.5; Navas 6 (Sanchez 79), Ramos 6, Gudelj 7, Acuna 6; Sow 6 (Diaz 57min, 6), Soumare 6; Ocampos 7, Rakitic 6, Lukebakio 6 (Lamela 57, 6); En-Nesyri 6.

Scorer: Gudelj 58

Booked: Diaz, Lamela

Manager: Diego Alonso 6

ARSENAL (4-3-3): Raya 5.5; White 6, Saliba 6, Gabriel 6, Tomiyasu 7; Odegaard 6 (Havertz 73, 6), Jorginho 6, Rice 6.5; Saka 6 (Trossard 81), Jesus 8.5 (Nketiah 81), Martinelli 7 (Kiwior 90+1)

Scorers: Martinelli 45+3, Jesus 53

Booked: Jorginho

Manager: Mikel Arteta 6.5

Referee: Glenn Nyburg 6

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It is already clear that if Arsenal are to progress in Europe, Jesus will most definitely be needed. It was why Mikel Arteta looked visibly concerned after the match.

Arteta said: ‘He (Jesus) came here for a reason. I think he changed our world. He brought so much belief and energy to that team. He needs to step in in those moments, he’s done that.

‘Then, I’m really sad because he felt something in his hamstring and I’m worried about that.’

On a night of much profligacy up front, goalkeeper David Raya also brought himself into the spotlight in the first half with yet more uncertainty on the ball.

Maybe Aaron Ramsdale rushing back from the birth of his son over the weekend — the England keeper was on the bench last night — left a reminder of the lengths he will go to in order to regain his place.

There was impressive distribution down the pitch, but Raya will need to improve in playing out from the back, and fast.

Having lost at Lens in their previous Champions League game, and with the group’s top spot so crucial to help avoid Europe’s strongest teams in the last 16, one could sense the pressure around Arsenal before the game. Progress in this competition is what those of a red-and-white disposition have so craved in the last six years.

Jorginho started last night, largely because of a muscle issue to Thomas Partey which saw him stay at home. Takehiro Tomiyasu came in for Oleksandr Zinchenko.

As for Sevilla, they are 13th in La Liga. The average age of their starting backline is 34. Their new manager Diego Alonso has only been in charge since October 10. Yet in Europe they so often find a way. Seven Europa League titles in 17 years says as much.

A team featuring seasoned veterans like Sergio Ramos and Ivan Rakitic were always going to be a tough proposition, but Arsenal should have gone in front after eight minutes when Jesus played Martinelli clean through.

He got jittery, and his shot rebounded off Nyland. Seconds later, Lucas Ocampos found himself at the front post at the other end, stabbing his shot wide.

Jesus cut inside from the left before finding the top corner to score Arsenal's second goal of the Group B clash

Jesus cut inside from the left before finding the top corner to score Arsenal's second goal of the Group B clash

Jesus cut inside from the left before finding the top corner to score Arsenal’s second goal of the Group B clash

Both sets of players watch on as Jesus' wonderful strike flies in to the top corner and doubles Arsenal's advantage

Both sets of players watch on as Jesus' wonderful strike flies in to the top corner and doubles Arsenal's advantage

Both sets of players watch on as Jesus’ wonderful strike flies in to the top corner and doubles Arsenal’s advantage 

Jesus performs his trademark celebration after scoring his fourth goal of the season in the second half of the match

Jesus performs his trademark celebration after scoring his fourth goal of the season in the second half of the match

Jesus performs his trademark celebration after scoring his fourth goal of the season in the second half of the match

Raya was again raising more questions than answers. Centre back Nemanja Gudelj had a crack from around 40 yards after seeing the Spaniard off his line.

Raya then gifted the ball to Rakitic and Ocampos on separate occasions, with the Spaniard saved on the second occasion by Sevilla forward Dodi Ludebakio failing to sort out his feet.

Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka felt the full force of a challenge from Marcos Acuna in the final third, wriggling on the floor in pain. It is difficult to recall the last match in which he was not felled.

Youssef En-Nesyri had a shot skim past the post just before the break, and then Martinelli struck with that imperious goal.

The away side started the second period in the same fashion, this time Martin Odegaard wildly hoicking the ball over.

But shortly after, Jesus was the scorer instead of provider with a beauty of a finish.

Despite the two-goal deficit, Sevilla’s home fans were still loudly willing their team on and it stirred them into life. A Rakitic cross after 58 minutes met the head of Gudelj, beating William Saliba’s interception attempt and the keeper to pull a goal back and give the hosts hope.

Ocampos soon after tried an audacious scissor-kick which went over, before Juanlu Sanchez’s cross wrapped Raya’s knuckles and went over in the 97th minute.

Martinelli rounded the goalkeeper to open the scoring after being played through by Jesus just before half-time

Martinelli rounded the goalkeeper to open the scoring after being played through by Jesus just before half-time

Martinelli rounded the goalkeeper to open the scoring after being played through by Jesus just before half-time 

The Brazilian forward made no mistake after missing another one-on-one earlier in the game to open the scoring

The Brazilian forward made no mistake after missing another one-on-one earlier in the game to open the scoring

The Brazilian forward made no mistake after missing another one-on-one earlier in the game to open the scoring

Martinelli looked delighted after breaking the deadlock at a perfect moment for the visiting side in Spain

Martinelli looked delighted after breaking the deadlock at a perfect moment for the visiting side in Spain

Martinelli looked delighted after breaking the deadlock at a perfect moment for the visiting side in Spain 

Sevilla pulled one back from a corner but Arsenal were able to hold on and claim an important three points

Sevilla pulled one back from a corner but Arsenal were able to hold on and claim an important three points

Sevilla pulled one back from a corner but Arsenal were able to hold on and claim an important three points 

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify

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