Villarreal vs Arsenal: 4-2-3-1 with tactical familiarity

Arsenal Need Granit Xhaka in Midfield, Not Left-Back

Emery spent days pouring over videos delving deep into how his side should set up tactically to both exploit opposition weakness and understand their strengths. As The Athletic reported, this could begin five days ahead of kick-off.

Chukwueze is someone very adept at isolating his man, with Gerard Moreno dropping off into the right half-space to drag a central defender out and make space for that duel. Emery will seek to exploit this and instill an approach that always has one man running beyond in every foray.

Whether Arteta opts for Cedric, Bukayo Saka or even Gabriel to fill the left-back void in case of Tierney not being ready, implementing a flat back four with additional pace to cover is essential, both in transition and when the ball is in the middle third.

It also comes down to attacking output. Away from home for the first leg, the mantra has to be to really get at Villarreal, pin them down, maintain pressure and manufacture goalscoring opportunities with regularity.

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Where Xhaka has improved in midfield is moving the ball to whoever is wide left with enhanced speed and efficiency. Being too laboured in possession is where he’s drawn deserved criticism, but this aspect of his game has been worked on, proving especially effective when Nicolas Pepe is on that flank since he makes the direct and aggressive runs only Gabriel Martinelli can match. While Dani Ceballos has had four of his better outings recently, he stills overcompensates on the ball, not releasing fast enough.

Arsenal need to keep recycling possession with speed and intent. Play the football they know; grind the opposition down; drag them out of position; stick to the plan.

It’s been a recurring theme in knockout matches this season where Arsenal have lost their groove, the confidence in their style. Against Benfica and Slavia Prague it’s happened where 15-minute spells of fluidity and rhythm are offset by sloppiness derived from a reduction in pace.

Play the 4-2-3-1 and stick to the principles. Ensure there is a neat balance of creators and penalty box aggressors in the front line and don’t allow that lethargic voice in the back of the head to seep into the game if a goal hasn’t come after 30 minutes.

With five substitutes it isn’t essential to make an immediate impact on the scoreline. In most cases, these fixtures become encounters decided on the effect substitutes can have.

Arsenal must be physical, aggressive and play the style the players know they can. Let vibrant, sexy and enjoyable football be the talking point after the game, not Emery getting one over on his former employers.