Villarreal vs Arsenal preview: How to watch, predicted lineups, score prediction & injury updates

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Villarreal

Villarreal: Rulli; Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Estupiñán; Chukwueze, Capoue, Parejo, Trigueros; Moreno, Alcacer

Arsenal: Leno; Chambers, Luiz, Mari, Xhaka; Partey, Ceballos, Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Aubameyang

Villarreal vs Arsenal Score Prediction

Must we?

The usual ‘which Arsenal will show up’ mentality will be implemented here, even if the past two results heavily suggest that the one we will see won’t be the desired option.

Taking a look at the Benfica clash at Stadio Olimpico, it was a classic case of opportunities wasted. Playing the first leg away from home is the ideal platform to be aggressive and front-footed, something Arsenal failed to do in the last-32.

Villarreal have a better away record than home record in this season’s La Liga, winning six of their 16 outings at Estadio de la Cerámica and conceding 19 goals in those fixtures. Arsenal, by contrast, have been marginally better away from home in the Premier League while their Europa League stats are padded by beating some very poor opponents in the group stages.

This is a real chance for Arsenal get a foothold in this tie, but they’ll need their attacking fluency on show which would be aided considerably by potential returns for David Luiz, Martin Odegaard and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Playing the first leg away from home, while not historically or universally accepted as beneficial, may be so on this occasion as the ongoings in north London will be best left out of sight and out of mind.

The question is whether it will all click. Arsenal were poor, laborious and uninspiring in the last two outings, but in both limited Everton and Fulham to a solitary shot on target each. One was a penalty.

If they can move the ball through the thirds quicker and avoid being to slow with their build-up play in the central third, coupled with some fluidity and ruthlessness in attack, then this is a magnificent chance to take control of this tie.

Yet facing the lethal Gerard Moreno in attack and the imperious Pau Torres in defence – not to mention the potential of a Francis Coquelin reunion – along with what could be a fatigued and unfit Aubameyang makes that task significantly tougher.

Score Prediction: Villarreal 1-0 Arsenal