Arsenal have it all to do on Thursday, as they look to reach their second Europa League final in four seasons, needing to overcome a one goal deficit against former manager Unai Emery’s Villerreal.
The Gunners faltered last week as they lost 2-1, with Nicholas Pepe’s penalty keeping Arteta’s side still in contention of progressing to the final, where the winner will play either Manchester United or Roma, and you can read our preview of that game here.
Arsenal fell behind early through Trigueros and Raúl Albiol, and their night continued to get worse after Dani Ceballos received his marching orders, and despite Pepe’s penalty and Étienne Capoue’s own red card, they were unable to rescue the tie.
Arsenal go into the match in at best, patchy form as of late, winning three out of their last six games, beating relegated Sheffield United, 17th placed Newcastle and Slavia Prague.
Arteta’s side hasn’t featured in the Champions League since the 2016/17, and now mathematically unable to reach the Top 4, leaving Thursday’s match as the last way to rescue Arsenal’s lacklustre performance this season.
Meanwhile, Emery will be hoping to continue his impressive trackrecord in the Europa League against his former side. In the seven years he has competed in the competition, he has reached the finals four times, winning three of them.
Emery was quick to downplay his sides advantage ahead of the match, especially after the return of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a player he was full of complements for in his press conference.
“Aubameyang is a killer,” said Emery. “He was, he is and he will always be.”
The Spaniard added: “He is there to work, to defend the team and give everything for the team, hoping he can perform at the top level and if that happens he is going to be very difficult to stop.”
Villarreal currently sit seventh in La Liga, occupying the final Europa League spot, having a one point gap against Real Betis ahead of the final four games of the season.
In terms of team news, David Luiz has a chance to be available despite coming off from injury in Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Newcastle, with Arteta suggesting that “With David it’s always possible because he wants to be available.”
Elsewhere, Tierney will be assessed ahead of the match after missing the last seven games through injury and Ceballos is ruled out through suspension, with Aubameyang expected to lead the line after his return in the first leg and his goal scoring return against Newcastle, after the Gabonese forward contracted malaria while on international duty.
