Villarreal boss Unai Emery heads to the Emirates on Thursday evening, looking to put one over his former club Arsenal in the battle for a place in the Europa League final.
The Spanish club hold a 2-1 advantage from last week’s first leg at El Madrigal, when the Gunners were second best and fortunate to be still in the tie.
A second-half penalty from Nicolas Pepe could prove a crucial away goal and give Arsenal the impetus to overturn the deficit in the second leg, with the Gunners 20/23 to win the match on Thursday.
Lethal Auba Can Make Villarreal Pay
One massive plus for Mikel Arteta is the timely return of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who scored in the weekend win at Newcastle United.
The former Borussia Dortmund ace has been the shadow of the player we saw in the last couple of seasons, with injury and illness hampering his campaign.
But Emery has already pinpointed the Gabon international as the main danger for his Villarreal outfit, who are 33/10 to win the second leg in London.
Aubameyang was the star when Arsenal last reached a European final, scoring a hat-trick in the Europa League semi-final win over Valencia in 2019.
The 31-year-old has never won a European trophy and will desperate to put that right this term.
The hosts are also boosted by the news that wing-back Kieran Tierney could return to the squad, having been sidelined since early April with a knee injury.
Lacazette a Useful Option
Should Arsenal need a late goal to progress, then the option to bring Alexandre Lacazette off the bench might be just what they need. The fit-again striker is 11/4 to score the last goal of the game.
You only have to look at the Yellow Submarines away form in Europe to see the test facing Arsenal, with Emery’s men winning their winning their last four Europa League games on the road and not conceding a goal during that run.
United can ease into Gdansk showpiece
Things look a little bit more straightforward for Manchester United as they head to Italy for their semi-final second-leg clash with Roma.
Having been 1-2 down at half-time of the first leg, a stunning second-half display from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men saw them claim a 6-2 victory and the Premier League outfit are now 1/2 favourites to lift the trophy.
If a four-goal lead wasn’t enough of an advantage, United have also have a full week’s rest after their Sunday clash with Liverpool cancelled due to fan protests.
Solskjaer’s men are unbeaten in seven in all competitions and have won their last three Europa League away games without conceding a goal and are not surprisingly 20/23 to win the second leg.
Roma Struggling For Form
By their high standards, Roma have endured a shocking season and are currently seventh in Serie A and without a win in their last six matches.
Their last two games – against Atalanta and Ajax – have ended in draws and another level score on Thursday can be backed at 3/1.
The Italians will be buoyed by the announcement this week that former United head coach Jose Mourinho will be their new boss, from the start of next season, and the players will be out to impress the manager-to-be.
*All odds correct at time of writing
