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Confirmed Arsenal team to take on Villarreal for a place in the final

We are around an hour away until tonight’s huge semi-final clash between Arsenal and Villarreal at the Emirates, with a place in the Europa League final at stake.

The Gunners might be a little confident after the way they finished off the first-leg last week, earning an away goal as well as looking extremely dangerous in attack.

Our win at the weekend can’t have hurt the morale of our side either, leading from the sixth minute of play until the final whistle against Newcastle.

The manager kept lips tightly sealed ahead of tonight’s selection, refusing to rule out or talk up whether key players like Kieran Tierney, David Luiz or Alexandre Lacazette were in line to feature, which led us to predict this line-up earlier on today:

Leno
Chambers Holding Gabriel Tierney
Partey Xhaka
Saka Odegaard Smith Rowe
Aubameyang

As you can see, Mikel Arteta had slightly different ideas.


Edit. Xhaka pulled up in the warm-up and has been replaced by Tierney

This line-up hasn’t clouded the confidence I have had throughout the day that Arsenal WILL get the job done, although it would obviously have been a huge boost if Tierney had been ready to start.

It looks to me as if Saka has returned to left back, with Xhaka taking up his usual role in midfield, but time will tell.

What are your predictions after seeing the team?

Patrick

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Tags Europa League Villarreal

248 Comments

  1. Doesn’t matter who is in the team if we win, if we dont, everything matters. COYG!

    1. Only need 1-0 but i actually think we have far better players than Villareal and we will beat them 3-0.

      1. 4141?

        Leno
        Bellerin Holding Mari Xhaka
        Partey
        Pepe Smith-Rowe Odegaard Saka
        Aubameyang

    3. what a team he picked us again, unreal stuff!!

      Where is Martinelli, why would you play A midfield as winger and attacking one?

      Why Elneny or Xhaka are not by Partey’s side left with all DM task?

      Fans have nothing to do with this mess in Arsenal but i support them to scream loiuder and get rid of Kroenke board and their wannabe Guardiola ridiculous cheapest tricky option we paying foe as team all year…

      Just one out of many questions is enough: Wht Martinelli is not in? .

      Isnt this our very last chance?

      The lads must take it on rhem and manage this yet again no sense football they are asked to play.

    5. Bye bye arsenal we or so crap we need to get rid of 10 players and the manager and the owners but we av no chance of that anyway the only English club to go out at the semi finals well that’s arsenal for you

      1. Well thats Arteta sacked, what an awful piece of management, against an Arsenal reject with an inferior team.

  2. If we lose, it’ll be because of the protesters outside the Emirates. Why can’t they do it tomorrow??

    4. GAI is this genuine? You really feel that a protest outside the stadium could have an adverse effect on professional footballers? Heard it all now.

      1. If I could hear the annoying noise when Arsenal played against Everton, let alone the players

        1. I understand your concern goi
          I am hopeful that any goings on outside the ground don’t affect what is going on inside. Perhaps your nerves are getting the better of you

          1. The protesters could’ve enjoyed tonight’s match at home and complain about it outside the stadium tomorrow. I really don’t understand why they need to do it in this crucial time

        2. Top flight Pro Footballers hearing “annoying noise” ?????????

          Tottenham away is nice and peaceful then !

          Sorry GAI, but that is the very sort of weak losing mentality we need to eradicate from our club

    5. They protested before the players got there then turned to roaring home the players on their arrival. Proper support if you ask me. Wish I could have been there.

  3. Arsenal please don’t make the fans be mocked ridiculously today. If we win, it’s gonna be an all English affair in Europe. My only fear is we have the tendency to bottle up when it matters most. CoyG’

  6. Good line up…i would prefer Martinelli on the left and esr at n10, but it’s ok for me. I like the tándem between saka and esr at the left.

  7. Either Saka LWB or ESR CM. Either way, pretty attacking lineup and great to see KT and Laca on the bench. COYG!!

  8. Arteta has just throw is all but nothing dice and I kind of om with team selection.

  9. The nerves are jangling a little…. Come on boys, make us proud!
    Would love to see a frontflip! Being 90%, would Auba be up for it??!! COYG

    1. sue 3 front flips will do tonight
      E Can’t say he hasn’t put a team that isn’t going for it tonight
      Will smash them to bits tonight
      4-1

  11. The rowdy fans obviously have an effect. Can’t they find another day to demonstrate? These demonstrators are disruptive and whoever supports their action isn’t serious. Instead of focusing on the game we are talking about a group of people whose sole aim is disruption. I am sorry nobody can convince me that all those demonstrators are our fans. What is their motive today? Does Kroenke sleep at Emirates? This is an act in bad taste!

    1. Are you there outside the ground? The videos I have seen clearly show the fans supporting the players on their arrival and only protesting about kroenke before that. Don’t be so judgemental of what BT want to show, obviously BT want to show bad elements of the people that wanted the ESL, as the ESL was not going to be on BT.

  12. Got to say it as many supporters will be thinking it. Xhaka left back????? Arteta is an obstinate ‘Shmuck’, using an Americanism. Hard to believe.

      2. I believe it’ll be the usual asymmetrical 4-3-3, with Smith-Rowe at Ceballos’ post:

        ……………………… Leno
        Bellerin . Holding . Mari . Xhaka
        …………………….. Partey
        ………… Odegaard …………. Smith-Rowe
        Saka ………………………………….. Pepe
        ……………………… Aubameyang

        Smith-Rowe will interchange between left side and center of the midfield, whereas Odegaard will drop deep more often and move to the middle occasionally. Both will try to pass diagonally, after one side is overloaded by the opponents

  14. In as much as I always love my beloved team to win, I pray we lose this one cos it might be a blessing in disguise for the future……. Dealing with serious mixed feelings here

    1. You should never want Arsenal to lose. No mixed feelings. By winning it might bring a winning mentality.

      1. SueP not if the reward in the future is greater than the sacrifice of the past……. Losing will make them keep trusting a rubbish process we all are still unable to see clearly after almost a season and a half,

        Arteta basically depends on luck and winning this might get his job more secured which I am not in support of. They say no pain no gain

  15. I’ll take, settle 4 a 1-0 2 the Arsenal!! from Timmy Blazen Gunner Paul in Bermuda Gunner’s 4 life! 👋👍✌️🙏

  16. There’s no point in not starting with Tierney, given that out season hinges on this game. Even if he breaks down, we can get him fit for next season. Basically it’s shit or bust time.

    1. I understand where you are coming from, but if Arsenal play brightly from the off, then do you not think that protecting Tierney for as long as possible is a good idea? God forbid he gets injured again.

  18. I think that selection is bizarre.
    Xhaka should be alongside Partey, alas we have no holding mf.
    We will concede and need to score at least 3.

    2. I think it’ll be the usual asymmetrical 4-3-3, with Smith-Rowe at Ceballos’ post:

      ……………………… Leno
      Bellerin . Holding . Mari . Xhaka
      …………………….. Partey
      ………… Odegaard …………. Smith-Rowe
      Saka ………………………………….. Pepe
      ……………………… Aubameyang

      Smith-Rowe will interchange between left side and center of the midfield, whereas Odegaard will drop deep more often and move to the middle occasionally. Both will try to pass diagonally, after one side is overloaded by the opponents

      1. GAI: If this is the formation, we are done for. Lord help us.
        My view is it is 4-2-3-1 (which I think has a narrow chance of squeaking through) as below:-
        …………………….Leno……………………
        Bellerin Holding Mari Saka
        …………….Partey Xhaka……………
        …..Pepe Odegaard ESR…..
        …………….Aubameyang………..

        1. I like your formation. But someone has to stay behind to stop Chukwueze’s counter-attacks, hence Xhaka plays LB

  20. our boys should win this today, but Arteta not so convicing on this as he does most of the times. am sure arsenal gonna play final

  21. Whatever the formation, whatever the team, all I want is Arsenal in the freaking finals.

  22. No matter the information Arteta use this night, at this stage it will difficult to beat this Emery side…I see Man Utd vs Villarreal in the Final.

    1. My son in law is a Manc, he said he’d rather play Villarreal as they’ve (MU) struggled against us lately!! 😳

      Xhak out > Tesco in!

  25. I am a bit nervous over this team selection and it starts with the goal keeper. But still ……..here’s hoping!

    1. Bellerin thinks he is playing for Spain the amount of passes he has given away to his compatriots!

  29. It’s very obvious Artete has a death wish for himself. What type of dull team selection is this?
    … fingers crossed, and hoping for the best.

    Meanwhile Partey is hopeless sadly.

  30. It starts with our manager doesn’t it.I hope there is some method in this borefest.

    1. Why are we so negative. Whatever happens tonight we need a change and quick. Piss poor but coyg

    1. I can believe he’s been so deplorable. He nearly scored a wonderful unforced own goal.

      This is hard to watch.
      This match is lulling me to sleep.

      1. Same here GILY,I’m so damn tired right now and the worst part of it is,they keep showing me ARTETA’s face🤦🤦

  34. When I can hear arteta screaming other side for nearly a min while we are struggling playing out on the right and they just ignore it and unsurprisingly lose the ball it’s no wonder we struggle. Even I can see we need to switch sides so why can’t those lazy dumb players.

    2. This is on Arteta.
      What Auba and Leno are doing in this match is what I don’t know. Not to mention Bellerin.

  37. Arteta really is a stubborn mule. Holding, Mari and Partey are our 3 worst passers yet our formation and play out from the back tactics means these 3 players are the ones tasked with building our play. Its no wonder our football is so slow and u inspired.

      1. So I’m not sure arteta is this calculated but my theory was faked injury during warm up to sneak tierney in last minute?

        Off topic based on current state of affairs and pretend we’ve won this game tonight would you choose:
        A wenger still
        B Emery still
        C arteta
        D someone else and who?

        …..as the current manager.

  38. 26 mins in and far from convincing shape and method of play.

    Glad tierney is in but gutted no room for martinelli. He has got to come on (not with 5 mins left)..

    I hate to say it but watching city and then chelski I’ve been spoilt with effective systems, dynamic play and desire. And then there’s us.

    It’s my club but how far we have fallen making Villarreal look like Bayern.

    Very worried as aside from Aruba’s strike hitting the post we don’t look that dangerous/cohesive.

  39. we are very very bad at making the most of our counters. Why does Pepe have to stop and dribble before moving forward???

        1. African isn’t a race, it’s a continent filled with people of many races.

          Where is the racism?

          If you weren’t aware that Africa was a continent you maybe shouldn’t falsely accuse people.

      2. @PJ-SA And common sense also didn’t tell you that is an insult to an entire continent Mr. Know it all

        2. Then I offended myself apparently because I’m African and have played football in Africa for most of my life and I can assure you that what I said is very true!

          You call me ignorant but make assumptions about me while knowing nothing 🤣 you are a perfect example of ignorance

          Still waiting to be shown where I was racist?

    3. He is killing the counter attack and that’s the only way to score..

      Villarreal would be demolished by a quick counter attacking Man Utd…

      Martinelli needs to be on as soon as possible…

      look at the auba chance just now… quick counter

  42. Does Bellerin train at all?

    Auba is left isolated with no services. It’s difficult to play as a striker for Arsenal.

    We hardly play to our striker’s strength.

  45. With this attittude and gameplay we won’t reach any target they (board)are telling publicly, it’s changed our ( fans) mentality and expectations , it is slowly draining our worldwide fanbase

  46. Banana feet saka 🙂
    Just glad santi isn’t available in yellow still, wish he was in red abd white!

        1. Agreed. I stupidly thought we’d be up for it from the off.. Very sloppy. Massive 45 to go….

          Meanwhile, the Mancs have scored, just to make sure 🙄

  49. Anyone else notice how good Odegaard, ESR and Saka look when Lacazette plays vs when Auba plays?

    1. Yep- if you play those three then Lacazette links them where Aubamayang simply does not

  50. Can’t watch this!!!!
    I can see a 0.0 at 8m with us pushing forward they counter with a goal.
    Martineli looks vital this game, no other player key enough to break the lines on their own.

  53. Top 8th richest club in the world and aside from auba, we depend on an 19 yr old in Saka, a young loaner in odegard and an abscent young gun in marintelli (who will surely come on) to scrape us through.

    Even if we do go through (which is doubtful to say the least) man poo will probably rip us a new one.

  54. Saka has been underwhelming…
    Love the boy to bits but he needs to step up..

    1. Relying on a 19 yr old kid to save a
      BILLION dollar football franchise is
      exactly what’s wrong with this club
      and its clueless fan base

      Partey/Pepe/Auba earn millions of
      dollars a year and have been nothing
      short of pedestrian so far.

      I was on the MA bandwagon but If
      this lackluster abomination continues
      for another 45 he doesnt need to
      be with the team after the game.

      I’d rather watch the Academy stars
      than this lot of underachievers.

  55. @pjsa
    Very true hea a more creative player versus auba.
    Auba isn’t right for this game defences sitting deep and us chasing goals is not his strength.

  56. You wouldn’t believe that Arsenal are fighting for their lives if someone told you. Probably because they are not fighting for their lives. Another sleepy, sloppy game. Same that we’ve witnessed all season.

  59. Awful.
    Has anybody actually told these players we need to score?
    A BIG 45 minutes for Arteta. Get this team attacking FROM THE START FFS

  61. Dire first half
    Villarreal are dreadful and we’re worse
    Please God the second half is better

  62. Arteta has to go for it – bring on Martinelli and Cedric, they should’ve been on to begin with. David Luiz and Gabriel so much better than Holding and Mari

    1. Luiz is injured and Magalhaes would work better with his compatriot, hence Holding-Mari pair started

  63. Arsenal got frustated by Villareal’s bus. Saka and Pepe weren’t effective, so one of them would likely be replaced by Martinelli later

    Partey did a good job, but Villareal’s pressing suffocated our defenders. We were rarely able to build from the back, so this is when a good target man should come in as plan B

    Unfortunately, we don’t have someone like Giroud on the bench

    1. Does plan B have to be a tall target man? Can’t plan B and C be different tactics to adapt to opposition’s game plan?

      1. A tall target man can completely change our play, instead of using short passes

  64. It is fine since we haven’t conceded. There is always that chance to nick that all important one goal. However since we are already losing I think Arsenal should go all in in the second half as we have nothing more to lose and everything to gain.

  65. After the season the board need to settle what ever dispute between Arteta and Martinelli so that this club can move forward. Secondly, whoever brought Pepe to arsenal should please have mercy on we fans and come and carry him away from Emirates stadium

  66. Our youth players are always at the same level they shown at earlier stage for years they won’t evolve or improve because they are in comfort zone and they are in starting eleven ( eg: iwobi) , half a decent season then they think already become worldclass players, look at yhe stats of our youth players and also martinelli he losts his fire because of our club mentality and players management,

  67. Watching paint dry is preferable.
    This is an unbalanced team. I did not want Odegaard to play.
    Pray for Lady luck or hopefully Martinelli to come on and install urgency.

  68. From watching the way both teams play…You can easily tell who the master tactician is..and it’s definitely not the man “managing” Arsenal..

    Arteta for the next 45mins please don’t be yourself…

  69. Best chance of the half was Auba’s near beauty, followed closely by Partey’s effort on his own goal. Figures it would be the one time he actually hit the net…

    Pretty poor and pretty flat. Don’t like Arteta’s choices but you would think the players would show a sense of urgency…

  70. Win europa league or not this is pathetic…. The earlier we get this clueless manager out of this club the better for us…..1 year plus in the job and you can’t place a pattern on the type of football we play…. We can’t even thread 2 to 3 passes in midfield…. Everyone just passes to the back…. This is more than players bin not good…. This is a managerial flaw…..he needs to go…. No matter who plays we are always never going to play on the front foot… All down to Arteta….. ARTETA OUTTTTT WIN EUROPA OR NOT

  71. Chelsea glided past Real yesterday, playing cautiously with fluid forward movement and a minimal amount of side and backwards passing. So far this half we have seen a bunch of players who appear to have been suddenly put together. What is this rubbish? Pepe and Saka stranded clueless on the wings without space to move, while Auba does his usual somnambulist routine. Wake up everyone, manager, players and fans.

    1. Smith-rowe is miles behind mount and would be on loan if at Chelsea. Saka would a bench rotation player. You see the issue?. Even Tierney would rotate with Chilwell. Same for Xhaka/Partey theyd be rotation options for Jorginho/Kante.

  72. this is shameful, this is not football. if we go out tonight then we can only blame arteta, he has his players handcuffed. at the moment we do not deserve to have gone this far in this competition.arteta needs a rocket up his ass, and then he might realise that attack is the best form of attack.lets hope the second half is the defining moment in our season,but, i have my doubts.

  73. Anyone else think we need to sacrifice either odeguard or ESR for elneny?
    Partey plying mf on his own and being simulated then the nerves rippling though the side.
    We shore up the mf then try overloads.
    Also cedric needed at lb? Tierney is all about his engine and understandably so he looks out on his feet.

  74. Even if we get a lucky victory tonight, the in form Manure will destroy us embarrassingly! Arteta has this team playing like timid nervous amateurs. It’s boring, laboured, uninspiring and frustrating. When was the last time this Arsenal showed any pride and determination on home soil? Villarreal look like the home team. Arteta is showing no progress after months of the same CRAP! He has to go!

  76. @joes
    Real looked older more static and less organised than Villareal got to credit Emery.

    1. True ,Real are in trouble with their aging squad, but they had the players to punish Chelsea. I put it down to their having a real coach/ manager. I don’t know what those idiots instructing Arteta are being payed for.

  83. MA….hello….wake up….time to make changes

    Or are you stuck in your ego bubble like in your press conferences where everything you do is perfect and you don’t know how we lost?

  85. Why is Arteta’s tablet full of tactics always out and facing the camera? I’ve seen it so many times this season, and it bugs me so much.

      1. It can’t be good. I remember during our fa cup run I think, there was a moment the camera panned and stopped on the tablet a good 5 seconds. Probably why the PL figured him out so quickly after his fa cup, he put it all out there for everyone to see

  86. Need to throw some fire crackers on the pitch pretty sure they are sleep walking.

  87. Party – isolated and tired
    Tierney – not fully fit and on form
    Odegard – rushing stuff and loosing ball.

    Nervy as Villarreal will have more opportunities the more we chase.

    I’m tired watching.
    At least martinelli to come on.

    1. Nope pretty sure I’m watching a walking dead episode. There’s definitely 11 zombie slugging around the pitch.

    2. We’re in European semi-final needing just one goal to win and your full of negativity. Our squad contrary to popular opinion is 6th at a very optimistic best in the pl yet here we are. We can win support the team save the negativity for after.

  90. I think this is the defeat that Arsenal need to have, as a wake up call, although how often have we been saying that? Hope eternal, the curse of the die hard fan. Can Martinellii save the day?

  91. This is the last straw for me with arteta!

    He’s watching the game and must be able to see Partey needs help and Tierney needs replacing why wait until its cost us, be decisive and make a change.
    I’ve no issue with a manager getting the team selection not quite right but no excuse when it comes to not making changes promptly.
    We need laca martinelli cedric and elneny now!

      1. SW
        I have supported Arteta as you well know but I am so surprised at the lack of fight. We will need a lot of luck to get anything out of this. Nooooo. So nearly ate my words

  92. I blame the board for hiring and not sacking arteta soon enough.
    These players are a complete waste of space. It may not be such a bad thing if we didn’t play in Europe next season.
    Anything to deprive the owners of income

  95. Ah more walking dead fans!

    2 things used to guarantee my happiness was arsenal and walking dead night the latter is not on and well the 1st one we know all about.
    So close again and all since gabi came on.

    We’re alright now William is on!

  99. Arteta pls get out of our beloved club now you’re killing our club’s pride

    1. I can not believe what dross I have watched tonight with party, aubameyang, and most of the other shit players who have embarrassed the club and themselves in this game. Shameful and gutless and arteta should resign tonight but we know he wont
      So sad to see our once great club being raped by the board and please asked arteta why his he so crap.

    1. How much more evidence do the Arteta fans need to show this clueless idiot is not up to the job!! ARTETA OUT, ARTETA OUT, ARTETA OUT

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