Emery's sweet revenge on Arsenal

Arsenal fired him in 2019. Two years later he met his previous employers and showed them they made a mistake. At least for this first leg of Europa League semi finals. Final score 2-0 as disappointed Arsenal leave Spain but the Gunners are aware it could have been much worse.

Even though Arsenal have allowed 100 fewer shots, 46 fewer on target & conceded 14 goals fewer under Mikel Arteta compared to Unai Emery's reign, the older Spaniard had something to prove after being let off by the Emirates club.

Tonight's contest was a tight one and not really attractive. The game started with a cold shower for the Gunners. As soon as four minutes and 39 seconds, the 'Yellow Submarine' took the lead. Manuel Trigueros coolly drilled a low shot deep inside the left post.

Nigerian Samuel Chukwueze has assisted in three of the last six Villarreal goals in Europa League. He already has provided five assists for his team in this competition and only Denis Suárez has provided more (7).

Arsenal needed to get back in the game and they took the possession quickly. Gunners franticly looked for corridors of space but the hosts were organized enough and defended well.

Another shock for the guests came in the 33rd minute when Villareal doubled their lead. A corner kick was whipped into the box and Raul Albiol buried the ball into the back of the net from a Gerard Moreno knock down.

First half ended with Arsenal trying to at least lower the difference on the scoreboard but were unsuccessful.

After a slow start to the second half, tension intensified. Dani Ceballos got his second yellow card in the 57th minute which made it even harder for the Londoners to get back in the match.

Five minutes later Chukwueze had a chance to score after picking up a neat pass, but his shot towards the middle of the goal was easily saved by Bernd Leno.

In the 66th minute, Gerard Moreno collected a great pass inside the box, but Leno did well to stop his effort.

Out of nowhere, in the 73rd minute, Arsenal got their chance to score. Bukayo Saka was fouled inside the opponents box and Nicolas Pepe took the responsibility.

His low driven penalty into the middle of the net fooled Geronimo Rulli in goal.

Pepe has been involved in more Europa League goals than any other player this season (6 goals, 4 assists).

Teams were even numerically after the 80th minute as Etienne Capoue saw a second yellow card.

Arsenal were incredibly close to leveling entirely in the 94th minute. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a one-on-one situation with Rulli but the goalkeeper was alert and leaped like a salmon to deny the Gabonese striker.

Arsenal did not deliver but can be happy with the score that they are carrying to London, considering their tonight's performance.

Manchester United destroy Roma in an amazing second half

Villarreal have bulldozed their way to this stage with a near perfect W11, D2 record and are eager to lift the trophy of the second best European club competition.

Arsenal, on the other hand, are pursuing their second Europa League final across the last three seasons. Their most recent fall at the semi-final hurdle to Spanish opposition happened against Atlético Madrid in 2017/18.

Rematch which will be played on the 6th of May will give us the finalist of this campaign.

The other semi-final tie gave us an incredible match in which Manchester United thrashed Roma 6-2 and almost certainly secured their spot in the finals.

EUROPA LEAGUE - Semi finals

Thursday

First leg

Manchester United - Roma 6-2 (1-2)

/Fernandes 9', 71' pen, Cavani 48', 64', Pogba 75', Greenwood 86' - Pellegrini 15' pen, Dzeko 34'/

Villareal - Arsenal 2-1 (2-0)

/Trigueros 5', Albiol 29' - Pepe 73'/

Second leg to be played on the 6th of May