Arsenal player ratings vs Villarreal: Pepe penalty rescues hope

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.

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.

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (CM) – 6/10 – His passing has been wayward in recent weeks, as has his shooting. The Ghanaian is doing some nice things, but he’s not in the best run of form. It will come.

Dani Ceballos (CM) – 3/10 – Played a couple of lovely passes into space for Nicolas Pépé. His lack of athleticism was then exposed on a couple of occasions, and he was given his marching orders early in the second half just as Arsenal were gaining some momentum. So, so poor.

Martin Ødegaard (AM) – 5.5/10 – Had a couple of nice touches, but like a few of his teammates, was mostly a non-factor. Was replaced by Gabriel Martinelli just after the hour mark.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – 7/10 – Although he saw plenty of the ball, Arsenal’s young phenom failed to cause Villarreal any real problems until he won the crucial penalty. Even when he’s not at his best, he remains a threat.

Emile Smith Rowe (CF) – 6/10 – Started as the ‘false nine’, but rotated at times with Nicolas Pépé. Like Ødegaard, had his moments, but was mostly anonymous.

Nicolas Pépé (LW) – 7.5/10 (MOTM) – Glittered in the quarter-final, and was Arsenal’s main threat again tonight. There was never any doubt that he would miss from the spot.

Substitutes

Gabriel Martinelli – 6.5/10 – Came on to play as a striker after Ceballos was given his marching orders. Immediately gave the team a lift with his tenacity.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – N/A – Made a late cameo appearance after his illness. Could have scored in added time.

Mohamed Elneny – N/A – Came on in added time.

Willian – N/A – Came on in added time.