Arsenal travel to El Madrigal on Thursday to face Unai Emery’s Villarreal in the first leg of their Europa League semifinal match-up.
With so much at stake for Arsenal, the result of this game could determine if the Gunners play in the UEL final. A bad performance, and a lack of away goals, could put a fork in this season for once and for all.
Villarreal have not had a banner season either. Currently standing 7th in La Lisa, Emery’s side have 12 wins, 13 draws and 8 losses in the Spanish league, They trail league leading Atletico Madrid by 24 points, a Champions League spot by 21 points and a Europa League spot by just 1 point..
With that said, Mikel Arteta has to start his best available line-up for this match. Here’s my predicted starting XI on Thursday in Spain…
[4-2-3-1]
Aubameyang
Smith Rowe, Odegaard, Saka
Ceballos, Partey
Xahka, Mari, Holding, Bellerin
Leno
Predicted final score…
Villarreal 2 – ARSENAL 1
COYG!
Gunner1953
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Football Insider reports the Gunners will have no interest in selling Martin Zubimendi in January.
Mikel Arteta on signing a new contract, “We are all very much aligned. Whenever the time is right, we will get that done. There is nothing to be concerned about. We have the same ambition and the same will. Whenever we have the time, we will get that sorted.”
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