Arsenal vs Villarreal, Europa League semi-final: live score and latest updates

Two English clubs are in the Champions League final while Manchester United are virtually through in the Europa League, so it comes down to Arsenal to complete the set. 

Their situation is by far the most precarious after a 2-1 first-leg loss at Villarreal, on a night when Mikel Arteta did himself few favours. He was short of attacking options without the injured Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, so a compromised starting XI was unavoidable, but the decision not to take off the struggling and booked Dani Ceballos came in for fierce criticism. When Ceballos was shown the second yellow that seemingly everyone but Arteta could see coming, it looked like Arsenal’s season was coming to an ignoble conclusion. 

And yet…Arsenal just about kept themselves in a tie after Nicolas Pepe converted a soft penalty won by Bukayo Saka and Villarreal had Etienne Capoue sent off. On the ground observers in Spain said the Villarreal players were dejected at the full time, knowing they missed the chance to kill the tie and make tonight’s game at the Emirates academic. Unai Emery taking off Paco Alcacer for Francis Coquelin at half-time also hinted at his cautious instincts at a time when Arsenal were on the ropes.

“Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result,” said Winston Churchill, and there is a feeling Arsenal have the psychological edge going into tonight’s game having been granted a second life. Aubameyang will likely start up front while Arteta could have Kieran Tierney and Lacazette available with David Luiz pushing for a return. Tierney starting at left-back would mean Granit Xhaka could move back into midfield to partner Thomas Partey. Nicolas Pepe has more goals and assists combined than any player in the Europa League this season. 

There are no substantive reports of Arteta’s job being in trouble should Arsenal go out tonight, but losing to a team placed seventh in La Liga – who have a fraction of Arsenal’s budget – managed by the man Arsenal sacked, would be a tough one to come back from. It is a huge night for Arteta and Arsenal, and it could leave them 90 minutes from the Champions League. Those 90 minutes would be against Man Utd, but that’s a bridge to cross in due course. 

Full team news on the way shortly.