Arsenal: 4 talking points from Villarreal Europa League exit

Mikel Arteta Makes Risky Move That Backfires

With kick-off approaching, it became apparent Arsenal would stick to their system from the first leg with Granit Xhaka at left-back – Xhaka’s injury prompted the Tierney change – only that an actual centre-forward would play in Aubameyang.

It meant Emile Smith Rowe would assume the position that Dani Ceballos played alongside Partey. On paper, for a side in need of scoring and keeping the pressure on their opponents, the risky, ballsy move signalled the intent.

So where was it on the pitch?

This was a team set up to play in the opposition half, to move the ball around with pace and to tire Villarreal out with constant movement. What transpired was everything playing out in cumbersome fashion a few yards from Bernd Leno. Partey was left with acres of ground to cover in central areas, an element of the game that will have been expected given the two No. 8’s free to roam forward.

That is risk fans wanted to see, but it’s only rewarded with attacking output, of which there was none. In the end it failed so miserably that bringing Mohamed Elneny on to add some security and foundation in midfield would have been the best option in the second half.

Two knockout ties in a row and two experimental approaches, tasking young players with more new roles than their short careers should be asked to shoulder.