By SABC Sport
24th October 2023
Sevilla head coach Diego Alonso has grand aims in the Champions League as he targets victory over Arsenal on Tuesday en route to a long run in the competition.
The former Uruguay striker was appointed as Sevilla boss earlier this month, with the reigning Europa League champions languishing in the bottom half of the LaLiga table.
Alonso does have some Champions League pedigree - he was at Valencia when they reached the 2001 final before losing on penalties to Bayern Munich, although he did not make the squad.
"I enjoyed the Champions League with Valencia, with whom I reached a final," he told reporters on the eve of Arsenal's visit.
"I hope I (enjoy it) now with three points. We have a great opportunity. I am an optimist by nature. Where some see obstacles, I see an opportunity and that's how we will take it."
The clash comes with Sevilla winless in Group B and Arsenal on the back of a surprise defeat at Lens.
But the Gunners maintained an unbeaten start to the Premier League season as they battled back to earn a 2-2 draw at Chelsea on Saturday and Alonso knows his side face a tough test.
"We are facing a team with very good footballers," he added.
"It is a very well-trained, well-worked team. They know what they want and we will have to fight in all areas of the pitch. We will have to be at the limit of our possibilities."