Who should Mikel Arteta pick to face Villarreal tonight?

Mikel Arteta

Who should Mikel Arteta pick to face Villarreal tonight as the Gunners prepare for Europa League semi-final 

By Adam Le Roux

Decisions, decisions, decisions…. A football manager’s career will teeter on every single one he makes, and tonight’s clash with Villarreal will see Mikel Arteta having to make some of the biggest choices since he has been at the club.

Arsenal head into the Europa League semi-final clash looking to reach the final of the competition for the second time in three years - having lost out to Chelsea back in 2019 - with the small matter of Unai Emery and his new charges standing in their way.

There is nothing the former Gunners boss would love more than seeing off his old employers in the last four, so it is imperative that everyone knows their jobs and pulls together as a team in El Madrigal to give the visitors the edge heading into next week’s second leg.

But who will Arteta pick to start tonight, and who will thrive when the going gets tough?

Determination in defence will be key

It has been no secret for the past few weeks that all the Arsenal eggs have been thrown into the European basket this season, with the Gunners looking to secure continental qualification for next year through the back door.

With a mid-table finish in the Premier League seemingly on the cards since Christmas, winning this year’s Europa League is the only way they are going to get back into the big time in the following campaign, so there is a whole lot more riding on this semi-final than it looks at first glance.

David Luiz

Villarreal are in a similar position to Arsenal in La Liga this season; sitting seventh in the Spanish league and a whopping 21 points off of Champions League qualification, although they still have faint hopes of squeezing into the Europa League spots - sitting just a point behind sixth-placed Real Betis.

But despite their domestic troubles, both of these sides have proved that they can turn it on when it matters in Europe this season, and the trip to the Spanish East coast is sure to be a tricky one.

With that in mind, it is crucial that Arteta keeps his side composed and calm at the back, ensuring they don’t give their opponents any easy chances while playing out from the back - something that they have been guilty of throughout the current campaign.

Doing the basics well is the first key to success, and keeping hotshot Gerard Moreno quiet will help no end, with the striker a constant menace at the forefront of the hosts’ attacking lineup.

And there are a number of boosts for Arteta heading into tonight, with Kieran Tierney and David Luiz both in contention to return after their lengthy injury layoffs.

Kieran Tierney

With Rob Holding and Pablo Mari forming a reputable partnership in the middle of defence, it would be too hasty to throw the Brazilian straight back into the mix, although Tierney’s boundless enthusiasm is always welcomed in the side.

It’s been a rare occasion where Arteta is spoiled for choice in the defending department this season, but to have a number of top performers fit and raring to go is a blessing he will no doubt cherish.

Who will be the midfield maestros?

With the first leg being played away from home, Arteta will have a focus on keeping a tight ship at El Madrigal, so it would be no surprise to see the two enforcers in the middle of the park pairing up together tonight.

Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey will thrive in these conditions; with the emphasis on putting pressure on the ball and breaking up attacks, before sparking a forward thrust of their own once in possession.

Thomas Partey

The latter of the duo will know all about tonight’s opposition from his time at Atletico Madrid before joining in the summer, and that knowledge will be invaluable in gaining an edge.

We all know Xhaka will stand up and be counted tonight - he always does in the big games and blossoms under pressure - and his ability to rouse his teammates can prove dividends.

Further forward, Martin Odegaard has to be the man pulling the strings behind the front three, with the Norwegian magician likely to be the difference-maker and could unlock the home defence in an instant.

Fancy a flutter on the forwards?

Last week’s defeat to Everton proved just how crucial Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have been for Arsenal this season, with the frontline floundering without either of them in the squad for the visit of the Toffees.

Eddie Nketiah didn’t cut the mustard up top alongside Nicolas Pepe that night, but it looks as if the regular strike force could be contention for a return tonight, with Arteta confirming as much in his pre-match press conference.

Alexandre Lacazette

Even a half from both of the star strikers could make all the difference in this one, with their experience and nous destined to make all the difference in this type of fixture, and they won’t be overawed by the circumstances either.

Bukayo Saka will more than likely get the nod on the left-hand side, while Pepe could be the man to line up on the right, with the Ivorian saving some of his best performances for the European stage this season.

Predicted Arsenal XI: Leno, Chambers, Holding, Mari, Tierney, Xhaka, Partey, Odegaard, Saka, Pepe, Lacazette

Photo Credit: Getty Images


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