Arsenal Vs Villarreal
Arsenal Vs Villarreal Thursday 6th May 2020 – 20:00 (BT Sport)
UEFA Europa League – Semi-Final
Pick: Villarreal or Draw (Double Chance)
Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: 888Sport
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 4th May 2021)
Preview: Nicolas Pepe’s converted penalty in Spain in the first-leg has given Arsenal real impetus ahead of the return leg at Emirates Stadium, where Mikel Arteta’s men need a big performance still if they are to successfully overturn a 2-1 deficit against Villarreal.
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Table of Contents
Arsenal – Emirates wobbles makes Arteta’s men uneasy favourites?
There would have been a huge collective sigh of relief come full-time of the first-leg, as Arsenal somehow escaped Spain trailing by only one goal in the tie and with that all important away goal. Considering that they were 2-0 down and had Dani Ceballos sent off with more than thirty minutes left to play inside La Ceramica, the situation heading back to London could have been much more grim.
As it is, Arsenal are in a relatively healthy position as they target a second final in this competition in three seasons. They are the highest goalscorers in the Europa League this season, scoring five more (33) than next best Roma. Moreover, they will have star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubamenyang fit and available, after he netted on his first start since 3 April in Sunday’s easy Premier League victory at Newcastle.
The Gunners recorded a clean sheet in the latter, in what was their first win in four competitive matches (D1 L2), something that could be imperative to their hopes of progressing further here. However, they have now gone their last three Europa League home games in the knockout rounds without so much as winning, losing twice to Olympiakos before a 1-1 draw with Slavia Prague in the round prior.
Villarreal – Yellow Sub have travelled well in Europe?
Currently sitting in sixth place in La Liga, which is still three places better off than Arsenal in the Premier League. Villarreal are well placed to reach the club’s first major European final after goals from Manuel Trigueros and Raul Albiol gave them the perfect start over in Spain. However, the Spanish side seemed to lose their way thereafter, particularly in the second-half, and know they still have work to do in England.
That first-leg triumph brought their overall record versus English opposition to W5 D6 L5, extending their winning streak in this competition to eight. They have only failed to win one of thirteen matches so far, drawing the other, since the start of the group stage. Unai Emery’s charges will arrive in England having recorded three successive wins to nil in the away legs in all three knockouts round prior to this last-four tie.
Another shutout at Emirates Stadium, meanwhile, would see them finally make the final after two previous failed attempts at this stage. However, their record in England, with one win – versus Everton in 2005 – in seven visits to these shores (W1 D2 L4) leaves them vulnerable. Although they would pick up a morale-boosting league victory of their own last time out, battling to a 1-0 win at home to Getafe on Sunday.
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Arsenal Vs Villarreal Betting Advice
Unlike the other semi-final, this one remains intriguingly poised. Arsenal, as the competition’s most prolific side, clearly have the necessary goals in them to overturn a 2-1 deficit. However, their record at home during the knockout phase inspires hope for Villarreal. Whereas the Gunners are winless in three such fixtures at Emirates Stadium, the Yellow Submarine won their last three away without conceding.
Arsenal Vs Villarreal – Key Facts:
- That 2-1 first-leg defeat represented a first for Arsenal versus Villarreal, in what was their fifth meeting. Arsenal boast a 100% record in England, though, winning both prior encounters ‘to nil’.
- Arsenal are still looking for their first win at their Emirates Stadium in London during this knockout phase, however, losing to Olympiacos and drawing with Slavia Prague.
- Villarreal boast a perfect record on their travels since the group stage, meanwhile, beating Salzburg, Dynamo Kiev and Dinamo Zagreb without conceding a single goal.
Villarreal’s strong defensive displays in the previous rounds – in keeping clean sheets in wins over Salzburg, Dynamo Kiev and Dinamo Zagreb – bodes well ahead of their visit to an Arsenal side yet to win at home since topping an easy group. Mikel Arteta’s men were beaten by Olympiacos before being held by Slavia Prague. Therefore Villarreal, unbeaten in Europe in 2020/21, are simply too big to remain so on Thursday.
Best Betting Odds – Arsenal Vs Villarreal
Arsenal – 20/23 (Betfair)
Draw – 13/5 (BetVictor)
Villarreal – 16/5 (888Sport)
