Sevilla spoil Lacazette's first home start with Emirates Cup win

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:43 am

LONDON -- Steven N'Zonzi's curling long-range strike handed Sevilla a 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Cup on Sunday, taking the shine off Alexandre Lacazette's first home goal for the Gunners.

N'Zonzi met a throw-in a few yards outside the area in the 69th minute and almost nonchalantly curled in a left-footed shot that went past the outstretched Petr Cech and inside the far post.

That quieted the Emirates crowd, which had come alive following Lacazette's equaliser in the 62nd. The club's record signing, making his first start at the Emirates, made no mistake at the far post after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made a good raid down the flank to send in a low cross that found its way to the French striker.

It was the only highlight for Arsenal in this game as the Gunners' intensity level was that of a typical preseason friendly. Joaquin Correa had put Sevilla ahead four minutes into the second half by finishing off a well-worked move with a clinical finish past Cech.

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Arsenal struggled to create chances throughout despite Arsene Wenger fielding a stronger lineup than the one that beat Benfica 5-2 on Saturday. Mesut Ozil had a quiet game while Lacazette's only other sniff at goal came from a layoff by Aaron Ramsey, but his first-time shot was easily saved by David Soria.

Benfica nearly went ahead in the 15th minute but Ben Yedder hit the post after being played clear on goal, while Hector Bellerin missed Arsenal's best chance in the first half as he met a cross from Oxlade-Chamberlain by the far post but hit his volley well high.

Arsenal still ended up with the Emirates Cup trophy thanks to the tournament's quirky rules, where each goal is worth one point in addition to the three points for a win. Arsenal and Sevilla -- who beat RB Leipzig 1-0 on Saturday -- finished with nine points each and the same goal difference, handing the Gunners the trophy based on goals scored.

The performance itself wasn't much to celebrate, though, leaving Wenger with plenty of selection problems still to sort out before the start of the season.

In the early game, Leipzig beat Benfica 2-0 thanks to goals from Marcel Halstenberg and Marvin Compper.