ROBERT PIRES believes Unai Emery gives Villarreal the edge over Arsenal in the Europa League semi-finals.
That’s despite the Gunners sacking him in 2019 in favour of current boss Mikel Arteta.
Pires feels Emery’s three Europa League crowns with Sevilla from 2013-2016 gives him vital pedigree.
Villarreal are in the semis for the fourth time but have yet to reach a final.
But 2003-04 Invincible Gunner Pires thinks Emery’s superb European record gives him an advantage over his Emirates successor Arteta.
Villarreal are seventh in LaLiga, whereas Arsenal are tenth in the Premier League, 12 points below fourth-placed Chelsea.
And French 1998 World Cup winner Pires told AS: “I have been lucky enough to play for two great teams, such as Arsenal and Villarreal.
“Seeing them now face each other in a semi-final is something special.
“I see the situation at Arsenal with sadness.
“I speak with Arteta and I see that it has not been an easy year.
“What can save them is to win this Europa League and thus play the Champions League next year.
“It is difficult to give a favorite for the semi-final. I would say it is 50-50. It is difficult to get it right.
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“I think Villarreal has an advantage because they have Emery, a coach who has done very well in that competition.
“What I like the most is that it is a team that has a clear idea, that they like to play good football.
“Everyone knows that if you go to see Villarreal, you are going to see a good team, a team with very good players and that it will surely complicate things for Arsenal.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
