Erik Lamela is relishing a clash with Arsenal on Tuesday night as the former Tottenham man admits he is ‘desperate to beat’ the Gunners with his current club Sevilla.
The side host the giants in a crucial clash in Group B, which looks like it could be very tight indeed.
Arsenal have three points from their first two games, with Sevilla drawing both matches so far. Lens sit top of the group with four points and PSV bottom with one.
Lamela played for Spurs from 2013-21, making over 250 appearances for the club and, while he was very inconsistent, did produce some memorable moments in a Tottenham shirt.
Arguably his most memorable was the rabona he scored against Arsenal in March 2021, before being sent-off later in the game as Spurs fell to defeat.
The Argentine has not forgotten his north London allegiances, though, and is very keen to hand the Gunners defeat in Spain on Tuesday night.
‘it is a very important match in the context of the group, but we have a great chance of getting a positive result in front of our fans,’ said Lamela.
‘Implementing and adapting to change is always essential to continue improving. We’re all working hard with the new coach so that we can move forward. are a strong side, they’re fast, physical and accurate. But of course I’m desperate to beat them having played for in the past.
‘We always give it our all, we always do everything we can to win. Tomorrow we will need the fans’ help if we are going to succeed in making this a famous European night.’
Sevilla have had a very difficult start to their La Liga season, sacking Jose Luis Mendilibar after winning just two of their opening eight league matches.
Diego Alonso replaced him on 10 October in the dugout and the former Uruguay manager will take charge of a Champions League game for the first time on Tuesday.
‘I’m sure I’ll have fun, like how I liked the match against Real Madrid. I’m optimistic by nature and I have a lot of faith in the boys,’ said Alonso ahead of his second game in charge of Sevilla after a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid on Saturday.
‘The stakes give even more importance to the match. We know the opponent we will have in front of us and it’s strength, but we also know our own.’
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