Mikel Arteta hopes to be talking about football after Arsenal’s trip to Sevilla

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr was allegedly racially abused during Saturday's LaLiga clash at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

Vinicius later took to social media to praise staff in the ground for ejecting a fan and reporting him to the authorities.

The Brazilian then said he had also seen footage of abuse being aimed at him from a child, posting on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Congratulations to Sevilla for their quick positioning and punishment in yet another sad episode for Spanish football.

"Unfortunately, I had access to a video of another racist act in this Saturday's match, this time carried out by a child.

"I am very sorry that there is no one to educate you. I invest, and I invest a lot, in education in Brazil to form citizens with attitudes different from these."

Just three days later and Arsenal will be the visitors for their Champions League Group C clash.

Arteta echoed Vinicius' sentiment and is hoping he is left discussing the result when he addresses the media after tonight's game.

"What I can say is Sevilla reacted in a really strong and quick way," he said. "Great. Let's enjoy a beautiful football atmosphere.

"It doesn't get much better than the atmosphere here and I hope that we can just talk about the football and enjoy that atmosphere tomorrow."

Arteta is once again expected to prefer David Raya over Aaron Ramsdale in goal, although the latter has travelled despite reports he would stay in England following the birth of his child on Saturday.

The goalkeeping position at the Emirates Stadium has dominated discussion in recent weeks, especially following a nervy performance from Raya in the 2-2 draw at Chelsea on Saturday.

Asked if Raya was suffering from the intensity of the attention at the moment, Arteta replied: "I haven't seen that. If I am fair, I haven't seen that at all.

"That's the pressure of playing in big clubs where you have to win and you have to be at your best, and you have someone next to you who is pushing you every single day.

"If we go player by player, position by position, you will tell me what's happening at left-back, what happens with the holding midfielder.

"That's the debate. That's the beauty of the game as well.

"The fact that you have other options as well is going to make those talks more frequent."

Sevilla head coach Diego Alonso has grand aims in the Champions League as he targets victory over Arsenal.

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.”