Unai Emery saw Villarreal claim a 2-1 advantage over former club Arsenal after an eventful first leg of their Europa League semi-final clash that saw both teams finish with 10 men.
Emery, who was dismissed by the Gunners in November 2019 after a poor run of form, watched on as Villarreal seized control thanks to first-half goals from Manu Trigueros and Raul Albiol.
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Villarreal scored with the first effort of the game, Trigueros drilling home after Samuel Chukwueze’s jinking run ended with the ball being tackled into his team-mate’s path.
Shoddy Arsenal defending saw the lead doubled just prior to the half-hour mark when Gerard Moreno flicked on Dani Parejo’s corner for Raul Albiol to volley home from close range.
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Arsenal started the second half on the front foot but their outing worsened when Ceballos, already on a yellow card, was dismissed for a late challenge on Parejo.
Bernd Leno was called into action to deny the excellent Moreno and that moment proved even more pivotal when Trigueros clumsily tripped Bukayo Saka, Pepe’s penalty sent down the middle and just past Geronimo Rulli.
Arsenal hoped for a loss time equaliser, however that was not to be, despite a late chance for returning captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but given how the evening started Arteta and his players will be pleased to still have a good chance of advancing to the final in Gdansk.
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