Arsenal: Nicolas Pepe shines as Mikel Arteta glooms

Arsenal headed into the biggest game of their season against Villarreal and were completely unprepared. The first half was grueling to endure as Arsenal looked lost and dreadful in every aspect of the game. The biggest mistake being to start Emile Smith Rowe as the false nine/centre-forward position, with the 20-year-old struggle to gain any grip on proceedings.

We must also question why Mikel Arteta didn’t start Gabriel Martinelli? He is such a lively figure on the pitch and considering the form they were in, they really could use the energy. Instead, Arteta put out a side that was destined to fail, conceding two goals in the first half, which made Arsenal belief drain away.

Creating little to nothing, Arteta started the second half the same way he started the first, which was another glaring error, perhaps worse than the first. Dani Ceballos, who was on a yellow card and playing poorly, was not subbed off, which produced the inevitable second card and subsequent sending off.

The Spanish manager loves to hold his subs to the last minute, and here is a perfect example of how it came back to bite him. He waits until it is too late for any impact off the bench. Take, for example, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was subbed on in the 84th minute, far too late to do any damage. He did miss a critical chance, but if he was subbed on earlier he would have been given more time to pick up the same positions again and convert the chances. Of course, illness played a part.

Nicolas Pepe shines and Mikel Arteta glooms as Arsenal suffer 2-1 defeat to Villarreal in Europa League semi-finals

The only thing Arteta did well in selecting the team was picking Nicolas Pepe, who has been in solid form and rewarded the boss with a crucial penalty goal, one that gives Arsenal and their fans faint hope. Not only did he convert the penalty calmly as you like, he also was a workhouse on the pitch, tracking back and working just as hard on defense as he was on attack.

Pepe has shown why he is a valuable member of this Arsenal team once again, but what has Arteta shown? He has shown that is not fit to pick the best side to win. With the threat of losing European competition, Arsenal show up to a semi-final unprepared. Ultimately, he was lucky to salvaged an away goal. We clearly have the talent to play quality football, like we have seen during the second leg of the Slavia Prague fixture, why alter the course so drastically?

If Arsenal want to continue to fight for Champions League football, Arteta should seriously consider his choices in these big games. If Arsenal show up to play the way they did today, we can draw the curtain on this season before the final act.

The same story on repeat, soon it will become enough. The FA Cup success that granted Arteta breathing room has since really exposed his weakness as a manager.

If Arteta was on a short leash before, now he is on a tightrope. Arsenal fans will be watching his every move. Soon, the #Kroenkeout will also turn into #Artetaout. Next week couldn’t come sooner. There is still time to make amends.