Arsenal take on Villarreal in the Europa League semi-final this week and a lot will be riding on the outcome of this match.
The Gunners have been woeful in the Premier League this season and last week, they suffered their 13th loss of the current season, going down 0-1 to Everton at home.
It’s clear that Arsenal will not be able to finish in the top four this season so the only way they can qualify for the Champions League next season is if they can win the Europa League this time around.
Arsenal have faced Villarreal twice away from home in Europe but have failed to come out as winners on both instances. And to make matters worse, the North London side go into this game having won just one of their previous five league matches. Thankfully, Villarreal are not in the best of forms either as they go into Thursday’s game having lost three of their last five matches.
The Gunners have a few injury concerns and most of them happen to be key first-team players so manager Mikel Arteta will have to rely on a few youngsters to see his team through in the first leg.
Arsenal team news vs Villarreal:
Kieran Tierney and David Luiz are both absentees due to knee injuries so Rob Holding will be partnered by Gabriel in central defence while Granit Xhaka is expected to continue as a left-back.
Against Everton, Xhaka was one of the culprits in that late goal scored by Everton but Mikel Arteta does not have too many options in that area of the pitch.
Xhaka playing as a full-back allows Thomas Partey and Dani Ceballos to play in central midfield while Emile Smith Rowe operates as the No 10. Martin Odegaard came off the bench against Everton and the manager also has the option of using the loanee as the playmaker on Thursday.
Alexandre Lacazette and Aubameyang are on the sidelines with injuries and both of them are not likely to be fit in time to face Villarreal.
With Aubameyang out, Martinelli and Nicolas Pepe will fight for a place in the starting line up and we have a feeling it’s going to be Pepe who will get the nod.
Bukayo Saka is an automatic choice on the right wing while Eddie Nketiah will lead the line on Thursday with Lacazette out injured.
How Arsenal could line up vs Villarreal:
Predicted Starting line-up: Bernd Leno; Gabriel, Rob Holding, Granit Xhaka, Bellerin; Thomas Partey, Dani Ceballos, Smith Rowe/Odegaard; Nicolas Pepe, Nketiah, Saka.
Injury updates via Premier Injuries.
