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Arsenal player ratings vs Villarreal: Pepe penalty rescues hope

By Henry Payne

VILLARREAL, SPAIN - APRIL 29: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal scores their team's first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Europa League Semi-final First Leg match between Villareal CF and Arsenal at Estadio de la Ceramica on April 29, 2021 in Villarreal, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
VILLARREAL, SPAIN - APRIL 29: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal scores their team's first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Europa League Semi-final First Leg match between Villareal CF and Arsenal at Estadio de la Ceramica on April 29, 2021 in Villarreal, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal player ratings vs Villarreal as Gunners sink to 2-1 defeat in Europa League semi-final. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /

Arsenal slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Villarreal in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final, giving Unai Emery a win over his successor, Mikel Arteta.

Unbeaten in their five games against ‘the Yellow Submarine’, Arsenal travelled to Estadio de la Ceramica under immense pressure.

Manu Trigueros’ early strike only increased that pressure, and Raúl Albiol’s goal gave them an even bigger mountain to climb.

Nicolas Pépé thought that he had won a penalty to get his team back into the tie, but it was rightly cancelled out by VAR.

Arsenal player ratings vs Villarreal as Gunners sink to 2-1 defeat in Europa League semi-final

Arsenal chased an away goal with more intent after the break, but Dani Ceballos’ dismissal destroyed their newfound momentum.

Down to ten men, staying in the tie became the new priority. As spaces opened up, Villarreal smelled blood. Bernd Leno made an excellent stop to deny Gerard Moreno from effectively ending the contest.

Then, a lifeline. Bukayo Saka was tripped by Trigueros, and Nicola Pépé slotted the resulting penalty. Arsenal had a crucial away goal. Villarreal then went down to ten men too as Étienne Capoue made a rash challenge on Bukayo Saka and left the field on a stretcher.

It is all to play for at the Emirates Stadium next Thursday.

VILLARREAL, SPAIN – APRIL 29: Gerard Moreno of Villarreal is put under pressure by Pablo Mari of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Semi-final First Leg match between Villareal CF and Arsenal at Estadio de la Ceramica on April 29, 2021 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images).
VILLARREAL, SPAIN – APRIL 29: Gerard Moreno of Villarreal is put under pressure by Pablo Mari of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Semi-final First Leg match between Villareal CF and Arsenal at Estadio de la Ceramica on April 29, 2021 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images). /

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Bernd Leno (GK) – 6/10 – Needed a good performance after his error against Everton. Could not do much about either of Villarreal’s goals, but made a vital save to deny Gerard Moreno from making it 3-0.

Calum Chambers (RB) – 6/10 – Saw plenty of the ball on the right-hand side but did not have the offensive impact that many have come to expect. To his credit, he has not been a defensive liability whatsoever since coming into the lineup.

Rob Holding (CB) – 5.5/10 – Tonight’s captain kept the dangerous Moreno quiet for the most part.

Pablo Marí (CB) – 5.5/10 – Facing his boyhood club, it looked like he was the one who lost Moreno for Villarreal’s second goal. Helped keep Villarreal out late in the game.

Granit Xhaka (LB) – 5.5/10 – Another player who was beaten far too easily in the build-up to Everton’s winning goal last week, Xhaka had another difficult task tonight against the quickness of Samuel Chukwueze.

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