Arsenal: 4 talking points from Villarreal defeat

Dani Ceballos Red Card a Huge Benefit for 2nd Leg

Normally you’d say something along the lines of Ceballos’ red card being a blessing in disguise, but that would allude to fans not realising within seconds of his sending off that he won’t be available for the second leg. On the contrary, it was everyone’s immediate reaction after the rage quelled.

There is no place for him in this squad. Every dash of flair in build-up play or raking first time pass comes with the caveat of zero spatial awareness and numerous defensive frailties.

He played a couple of cute passes in the first half. That’s about as far as the praise can go. Watching Foyth gallop beyond him was emotionally scarring. This is a very average defender making mincemeat of a Real Madrid midfielder, one who can’t help his lack of athleticism but does everything in his power to elevate those deficiencies.

No Ceballos is the second leg is cause for optimism. With Kieran Tierney, David Luiz, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all in line to make the squad or even start, the reshuffle in midfield and at left-back that needed to happen even without their presences on Thursday can finally come into effect.

It should have been a 4-2-3-1 regardless with Xhaka’s competitiveness and physicality in central midfield, someone who may actually win a duel, and now that hand is forced. Arteta has no option otherwise.