The 2020/21 UEFA Europa League finalists will be known come the end of Thursday night’s action. We have the second leg of the semi-final between Arsenal and Villarreal to look forward to at the Emirates Stadium.
The current score in the tie is 2-1 in favour of the Spanish team following the first leg in Spain.
Defeat on the night - but a potentially crucial away goal.🟡 2-1 🔵 (FT)🏆 #UEL— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 29, 2021
Defeat on the night - but a potentially crucial away goal.🟡 2-1 🔵 (FT)🏆 #UEL
Arsenal come into the game on the back of a 2-0 victory at Newcastle United on the weekend in the English Premier League. Newcastle were extremely disappointing but it was an important win for Arsenal who are currently sitting ninth in the table.
It was their first win in 4 matches in all competitions having previously lost at home against Everton in the Premier League, lost at Villarreal in the Europa League and been held to a 1-1 draw at home against Fulham, also in the Premier League.
Form in the Europa League has not been great and Arsenal have picked up just a single victory from their 4 most recent games in the competition.
The win was an impressive 4-0 victory at Slavia Prague in the quarter-final but Arsenal have failed to win their last two Europa League fixtures at home, drawing with Slavia Prague and losing against Olympiakos.
However, trends show in their last 13 games in the Europa League, Arsenal have recorded 11 undefeated encounters.
Villarreal travel to London having recorded a 1-0 home win over Getafe in La Liga on the weekend. It was an important victory for Villarreal who are aiming to finish in the Europa League qualifying places this season.
It was a second successive victory for the club following the 2-1 home win over Arsenal in the first leg of this Europa League tie.
Villarreal have a tremendous record in this competition and they have won each of their last 9 Europa League games and remained undefeated in their last 13 matches.
Villarreal are on a 6 match unbeaten run away from home in the Europa League, including wins in each of their 4 most recent fixtures on the road.
The Spanish club have a good defensive record away from home in the competition and trends show they have kept a clean sheet in each of their last 4 away Europa League matches. There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Villarreal’s last 5 away Europa League games.
Looking ahead to the team news and Arsenal will be without midfielder Daniel Ceballos who is suspended following his red card last week. Alexandre Lacazette and Kieran Tierney are both doubts due to injury.
Villarreal also have a man suspended following the dismissal of midfielder Etienne Capoue in the first leg. Defender Juan Foyth is the only other player unavailable for the visitors.
We expect Villarreal to come and be difficult to beat at the Emirates Stadium. They do not need to win the game and the onus will be on Arsenal to come out and try to score.
It would not be a surprise to see this game finished with under 2.5 goals and Villarreal would be more than happy to go away with a 0-0 or 1-1 draw.