Europa League

UNAI EMERY twisted the knife in on former club Arsenal and Mikel Arteta admitted: I got it wrong.Emery was sacked to make way for Arteta at the Emirates 17 months ago but his tactical nous helped Villarreal to a Europa League first-leg victory.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted he got it wrong with his team selection against VillarrealCredit: EPA
The Gunners were a shambles as their manager’s gamble to play with no strikers and Granit Xhaka at left-back backfired spectacularly as the La Liga side raced into a 2-0 lead by half-time.
In the end a lucky penalty from Nicolas Pepe at least kept Arsenal in the tie, but asked if he had cocked up with his selection, Arteta said: “Obviously when you lose you always get it wrong
“We were really stretched and we didn’t have the right spaces with the right people – and then we were open, and then we didn’t give ourselves the chance even to get set in the final third to do what we wanted to do because we weren’t precise on the ball as well.
“So, overall, it was not the best.
“But we play with three strikers and sometimes we didn’t score any goals many times in the season. So, it’s a decision that I made. And that’s it.
“Obviously we are disappointed that we lose, because it is not the result that wanted to take from the game, but after the story of the game I think we have to take it because we are in the tie, we are alive.
“The away goal changes completely the tie obviously, makes a huge difference and we know that we are there. We have to be better than we were today for 95 minutes and that means we are going to have the chance to be in the final.”
Arteta admitted he was trying to get a sub warmed up to replaced Dani Ceballos before he was sent off for a second bookable offence at a time when the Gunners were still two goals down.
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Emile Smith Rowe (left) looked lost playing as a false 9Credit: PA
It was thanks to Bukayo Saka throwing his leg to catch a touch from a defender that Arsenal were gifted the penalty and their crucial away goal.
And Saka was fuming at the way his side had almost thrown away their chance of glory.
He said: “It’s a semi final, to start the game like this? It’s impossible to have a chance of scoring. We didn’t create anything, we lost every duel, we were passive. It’s really frustrating looking back on it.
“I’m just happy in the second half we picked ourselves up and gave ourselves a chance at the Emirates.

“It’s always up to us. We have a team full of quality players and when we play properly we can beat anyone.”
Villarreal boss Emery said: “We need to keep our hopes high – it is still a good result for us.
“The key moment in the game was a penalty that was not a penalty. VAR should give justice in cases like this.”
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WILL the person who knows what Mikel Arteta’s big plan is, please make themselves known to the nearest steward.Because no-one else quite knows what they are supposed to be doing at Arsenal – least of all the players.
Mikel Arteta tried more experiments with his starting XI for Arsenal away at VillarrealCredit: Rex
They may well look back on this night for years to come in North London as the game when Arteta’s self-indulgent managerial style blew up in his face.
It’s all well and good working and learning with Pep Guardiola’s all-stars at Manchester City, but that gives no-one the God-given right to just turn up and be the business somewhere else.
City, Arsenal are not. Not by a long chalk.
And the sooner Arteta comes to terms with that the better. The only trouble is, 15 months into his job at the Emirates he shows little sign of grasping hold of reality.
What possessed him to overlook a string of defenders and use the ever-unreliable Granit Xhaka at left-back?
Barely four minutes were on the clock before that belter of an idea blew up in his face, as Xhaka displayed all the full-back skills of a five-year-old, allowing his man to first drive into the area then beat him to tee up Manu Trigueros to open the score.
Cedric Soares, Hector Bellerin and Gabriel would all have done better but no, Arteta knows better just because at City they can throw someone like Fernandinho into defence without being exposed.
The clue should be in the quality, or lack there-of, in this Arsenal team to stop taking such decisions.
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Which brings us to Pep’s old favourite, the false 9. A system employed so well by the Spaniard at Barcelona and latterly at the Etihad.
But asking players like Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas and Kevin De Bruyne to operate an ever rotating formation is one thing.
Getting £72million-flop Nicolas Pepe and novice Emile Smith Rowe to attempt such a difficult role, as well as maintain a high press when not in possession, is mission impossible.
The result was pitter-patter football across the field with zero cutting edge, largely because that was the amount of players in the attacking areas that matter through the middle for Arsenal.
It was a case of being clever for clever’s sake, and the semi-final of the Europa League is not the time for that.
Unai Emery in the opposite dug-out played no games. He did a total number on the Gunners, tactically perfect to nullify any threat they had and expose the glaring holes left by Arteta’s bizarre set-up.

They beat the press with alarming ease, exposed Xhaka for the goal and then highlighted yet more dismal defending with the second as Arsenal stood like statues defending a corner.
It was also plain for all to see that Dani Ceballos was going to be sent off before he was. What was Arteta thinking leaving him on?
Yes, Alexandre Lacazette was injured and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is well short of fitness after malaria. Their absence of course hurt.
But managers must give themselves the best possible chance of getting a result, and Arteta didn’t do that because he thought he could get clever.
Football always has been, and always will be, a simple game. The trouble is, the Arsenal boss knows better.
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Granit Xhaka was exposed at left-back while Hector Bellerin, Cedric Soares and Gabriel sat on the benchCredit: Getty
Arsenal lacked a focal point in attack for most of the game before Gabriel Martinelli and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came onCredit: PA
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ARSENAL’S Europa League semi-final is in the balance after a bonkers battle in Spain.The Gunners took on Unai Emery’s Villarreal and endured a nightmare start – falling 2-0 behind within 29 minutes.
Nicolas Pepe hauled Arsenal back into the Europa League semi-final with a cool penaltyCredit: EPA
Manu Trigueros fired home in the fifth minute before ex-Real Madrid defender Raul Albiol added a second from a corner.
Dani Ceballos made things worse with a second yellow, but Nicolas Pepe’s converted penalty and Etienne Capoue’s red card mean it is tantalisingly poised ahead of next week’s second leg at the Emirates.
Here’s how SunSport’s Joshua Jones rated the Gunners.
Bernd Leno – 7/10
The stopper had no chance with either goal – especially the first which was drilled low into the corner.
Made a smart stop on the hour mark to limit the damage and then a crucial save to deny Gerard Moreno when he ghosted between the centre-backs, which could prove massive by the end of the tie.
A big performance after his error last week.
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Calum Chambers – 7
The Englishman was once again selected ahead of Hector Bellerin and Cedric Soares and justified his place.
Got forward well and offered an outlet down the right – but had no one to aim for with his crosses – and was solid defensively, too. Headed over from a late corner.
Rob Holding – 5
Given the captain’s armband again but could not inspire his team to victory. Was blocked off for the second goal so hard to blame him.
Instead, seemed to spend most of his evening complaining – usually to the referees – and then skewed a snapshot well wide as the Gunners looked for a foothold.
Pablo Mari – 5
Could not get his head on the corner which ended up in the back of the net.
Did not look commanding at the back as Villarreal managed six shots on target.
Dani Ceballos is enduring a rough Europa League campaign and it got worse with the red cardCredit: PA
Thomas Partey switched off at the back post as Raul Albiol sneaked in to make it 2-0Credit: Getty
Granit Xhaka – 5
Oh how Arsenal fans are missing Kieran Tierney, who was deemed not ready to be involved at all despite travelling to Spain.
An ever-so-exposed Xhaka looked terrified as Samuel Chukwueze waltzed his way into the box and set up the opener.
Juan Foyth pushing on also made things tricky, especially with a lack of defensive cover, before hobbling off.
Dani Ceballos – 3
The Spanish midfielder was certainly in the thick of it for Arsenal throughout his 57 minutes on the pitch.
Ceballos stood there like a lemon unable to get a foot in before the opening goal, then improved as he started finding his passing range and threading some neat through balls.
But already on a booking for a cynical trip and on the edge, he finally did get his foot in – on top of a Villarreal player after over-running the ball and off he went.

Thomas Partey – 4
Not at his best in the middle of the park for Arsenal, Partey is missing having Xhaka alongside him.
Main fault was switching off at the back post to allow Albiol to run off him and prod home unchallenged for 2-0.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Was having a quiet game by his usually lively standards.
But then suddenly a turn of pace into the box drew a trip for the penalty which may have changed the tie.
Moments later, ex-Spurs man Capoue went flying in on the teenager and got his marching orders.
Martin Odegaard – 5
Tried to unlock the Villarreal defence but struggled to make his mark on the game as he has in recent weeks.
Was taken off midway through the second half for Gabriel Martinelli.
Emile Smith Rowe struggled to have a big impact on the first leg in SpainCredit: Getty
10 – Nicolas Pépé has been involved in more Europa League goals than any other player this season (6 goals, 4 assists). Lifeline. #UEL— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 29, 2021

Emile Smith Rowe – 5
Similar to Odegaard, could not quite take the game by the scruff of the neck as he was played in an unfamiliar false No9 role.
Did take a whack and had his knee strapped but thankfully no serious damage was done.
Nicolas Pepe – 8
The Ivory Coast winger was Arsenal’s most dangerous player from the first whistle, causing problems for Juan Foyth.
For the second time in a week, thought he had won a penalty at 0-0 but VAR chalked it off for a blatant handball in the build-up.
Put that disappointment behind him to step up from 12 yards to stroke it down the middle for a crucial away goal.
SUBS
Gabriel Martinelli – 7
Gave Arsenal a bit more of a focal point in attack after starting without a recognised striker and looked more threatening when he came on.
Pepe stroked his spot kick down the middle, making no mistakeCredit: PA
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made his return after malaria and picked up a quickfire yellow cardCredit: Getty
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 6
Came on for Saka with five minutes to go and led the line with Martinelli moving out to the left.
Picked up a booking and then almost scored a dramatic equaliser in injury time but his angled shot was saved.
Mohamed Elneny – N/A
Brought on in injury time.
Willian – N/A
Also came on for final seconds.

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OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER’S decision to allow Chris Smalling to leave on the cheap last year was criticised by some fans.But the Norwegian will be feeling a bit better about it now after the veteran defender’s return to Old Trafford turned into something of a nightmare.
Chris Smalling’s nightmare return to Man Utd proved Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was right to let him goCredit: EPA
United have spent more than £140 million to bring Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly to Old Trafford in recent seasons.
But then they let Smalling move to Roma on a permanent basis for an initial fee of just £13.6 million in early October.
On Thursday he was back at the Theatre of Dreams for the first time and he was the best defender on show in the opening 45 minutes.
Smalling was a regular during Solskjaer’s first few months in charge. He played in the famous 3-1 win at Paris Saint Germain which effectively got the Norwegian the job on a full-time basis.
But once Maguire had joined in a world record deal for a defender, it was clear Smalling’s days were numbered after almost a decade with United.
Solskjaer was happy to let him join Roma on loan last season – a hastily arranged move which worked out brilliantly for the former Fulham man.
He returned to Carrington for pre-season and while the manager was happy to have him in the squad, Smalling did not feel he would be given much of a chance.
The relatively modest fee for a player with 31 England caps suggested United did not fight too hard to persuade him to stay.
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Smalling was helpless as United smashed Roma 6-1 in the first leg of their Europa League semi finalCredit: AP

If you want your defenders just to defend, then Smalling can do a job for you.
He showed it again with a superb clearing header from Marcus Rashford’s cross when Edinson Cavani was lurking.
He also flung himself in front of the Uruguayan to block a shot during first half stoppage time.
And on several occasions he put his head in where it hurts and picked up a whack for his troubles.
Yet many managers these days want defenders who can play a bit too – including Gareth Southgate, who has not  played him for England in four years.
And that seems to be why Solskjaer decided he would rather go with his three big money signings – along with youngster Axel Tuanzebe.

Those defensive qualities were severely tested in the second half as a resurgent United ran riot – hitting the Italian side for six.  
Roma were severely hampered by the loss of three players to injury in the opening 45 minutes and in the end they were completely overwhelmed.
Smalling was powerless to stem the tide – but played Aaron Wan Bissaka onside in the build up to Edinson Cavani’s second goal of the night.
He then upended the former Napoli forward to concede a penalty which Bruno Fernandes converted.
The centre-back gave United nine good years of service – making more than 320 appearances and scoring 18 goals.
But this season the 31-year-old has made only 13 appearances in Serie A and maybe it was the right time for a parting of the ways after all.
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UNAI EMERY never made any secret of the fact that he did not want Nicolas Pepe to become Arsenal’s record signing.But against Villarreal the £72million winger made an emphatic point to his former manager – who confessed that Wilfried Zaha was always his top target.
Dani Ceballos was sent off at 2-0 down but Arsenal battled back for a narrow lossCredit: AP
Nicolas Pepe levels from the spot to leave the tie delicately poisedCredit: Getty
Because it was Pepe’s nerveless 73rd minute penalty which provided Arsenal with the away goal they needed to keep this Europa League semi-final alive.
It was the Gunners only shot on target all night, but that won’t bother Mikel Arteta a jot after staring down the torpedo barrel of the Yellow Submarine.
Emery has had to wait a full 17 months to get his own back on the team who packed it in during his brief time as Arsenal manager.
But now the man who was ruthlessly sacked to make way for Arteta will have to put his plans for a fifth Europa League final on hold.
Yet it is safe to say that all those players who were mocking Emery behind his back during the last knockings of his Emirates tenure are not laughing now.
Because for much of this match they were put through the wringer by a Villarreal team who appeared to have broken the back of this tie with first-half goals from Manu Trigueros and Raul Albiol.
Their prospects looked even dimmer when Danio Ceballos was dismissed for a second yellow card which will rule him out of next week’s return leg at the Emirates.
But just when it appeared that all hope was gone, they were handed a late lifeline when Bukayo Saka was brought down by Trigueros and Pepe drilled his spot kick straight down the middle.
Villarreal midfielder Manu Trigueros is overjoyed with his fifth-minute openerCredit: Getty
Nicolas Pepe walks back after bagging what might be a vital away goal for Arsenal from the penalty spot on 73 minutesCredit: AP
The problem with this Arsenal team is that you never know what you are going to get from one week to the next.
Absolutely no-one saw that 4-0 win coming in their last Europa League outing away to Slavia Prague 
But they immediately undid all that good work by taking just a single point from their next two games at home to Fulham and Everton.
That 1-0 defeat by Carlo Ancelotti’s team took place against a backdrop of angry fan protests against owner Stan Kroenke and the decision to sign up for the European Super League.
And no-one has been more vociferous in their criticism of the failed breakaway than Villarreal president Fernando Roig Alonso.
Little wonder, then, that the Spaniards were so keen to make a point against the team who knocked them out in the Champions League semi-finals in 2006 and in the quarter-finals of the same competition three years later.
Arsene Wenger famously did a little touchline jig after that most recent meeting but there has been precious little for either of his Arsenal successors to get excited about.
They kicked off this match with 78 games apiece under their belts as Arsenal boss.
Arsenal players look deflated as they trailed 2-0 at the breakCredit: AP
Villarreal veteran Raul Albiol roars his approval at making it 2-0Credit: Getty
And the fact that Emery’s win ratio was slightly higher than that of his replacement is proving to be a real cause for concern in the Emirates corridors of power.
But if Arteta was feeling the heat he certainly wasn’t showing it as he went all Pep Guardiola by starting without a recognised striker.
So it was left to ‘Croydon de Bruyne’ Emile Smith Rowe to carry the Arsenal threat in an unfamiliar false nine role.
But he had barely kicked the ball before Arsenal found themselves chasing the game.
Emery had clearly identified stand-in left-back Granit Xhaka as a potential Arsenal weakness and ordered winger Samuel Chukwueze to run at his man whenever possible.
Etienne Capoue is shown the red card for Villarreal as he is carried offCredit: Getty
Raul Albiol doubles the Villarreal lead as Arsenal struggleCredit: Getty
Villarreal’s Manuel Trigueros, out of picture, hits the home side’s openerCredit: PA
And it took the Nigerian international just five minutes to squeeze between Xhaka and Ceballos to set up Trigueros for a low shot which Bernd Leno was unable to keep out.
It was the worst possible start for a team as short on confidence as these Gunners and worse was to follow when they fell further behind on the half hour.
Daniel Parejo’s corner was flicked on by Gerard Moreno for the veteran Spanish international Albiol to volley in unchallenged at the back post.
Pepe thought he had dragged the visitors back into the game when he was tripped just inside the area by Juan Foyth.
But the 34th minute penalty was overturned when VAR spotted that Pepe had used an outstretched arm to control the ball before drawing the foul from the on-loan Spurs defender.
Moreno could have put the tie to bed when he poked the ball past the advancing Leno just before the half-time but ran out of space before he could squeeze his shot in from the tightest of angles.

And any idea of an Arsenal fightback appeared to have been ended when Ceballos was dismissed for a 57th minute foul on Parejo following an earlier booking for a trip on Foyth.
But Villarreal could not make the most of their numerical advantage before former Spurs and Watford midfielder Etienne Capoue was also sent-off for two bookable offences and now it is all to play at the Emirates next Thursday.
Good evening Unai? It could have been a hell of a lot better.
Just a friendly reminder that Villarreal is a team from a city with a population of only 50,577 and this is their FIFTH European semifinal!— Alexandra Jonson (@AlexandraJonson) April 29, 2021

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