Arsenal must nullify Unai Emery’s secret weapon at Villarreal

Never has the build-up to a fixture of this magnitude with this volume of engrossing narratives been heavily dominated by everything else except actual football; Arsenal fans currently revolted at their owners, and bracing themselves for a takeover bid from a Swedish billionaire. Anyone would forget there is a Europa League semi-final on the horizon.

Even with all of that ongoing, you can’t take your eyes off Arsenal vs Villarreal. Mikel Arteta vs Unai Emery. A repeat of the 2006 Champions League semi-final.

Now your toes are tingling.

Arsenal couldn’t be coming into the first leg in Spain in much worse condition. Alexandre Lacazette is racing to be back fit from a hamstring pull, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang won’t have played for nearly three weeks, two home matches against Fulham and Everton have produced one goal and one point, confidence is shot and crucial injuries in the back four have forced total tactical rejigs.

Arsenal must nullify Unai Emery’s secret weapon at Villarreal in Europa League semi-finals

Villarreal lost their most recent outing too, but that was against Barcelona, a narrow 2-1 loss and they had a man sent off.

However either leg pans out, it will be a fascinating tactical showdown of two managers desperate to get one over on each other. The matter at hand is winning, and that comes before any personal victories, but knowing what each other prefers and with distinct playing styles, it makes for an invigorating clash. Not to mention, a nerve-wracking one.

Villarreal’s La Liga form has been a finely balanced act throughout the season. Kicking the campaign off with just one defeat in their opening 15 matches – to Barcelona – they then proceeded to win just two of their following 11.

This balancing act boils down to the number of draws they have. Funny, that we’re talking about balance in an Emery side, isn’t it?

Indeed, The Yellow Submarine have drawn 13 of their 33 league outings this season, one more than matches they’ve won. With so many games finely poised in that regard, and plenty of their wins and losses being by a single goal margin, having match-winners or game changers in your side is invaluable.

It’s he who Arsenal must look out for.