AFTV News

Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Villarreal in the semi-finals of the Europa League leaves us with more questions than answers  By Adam Le Roux Well, that was a rocky ride wasn’t it, Arsenal fans? After heading into the Europa League semi-final with bags of optimism, the Gunners were brought back down to Earth with a bump within the opening five minutes at El Madrigal, as Manuel Trigueros rifled home Villarreal. And when Raul Albiol made it two on the half-hour mark, it looked like it was going to be a long evening for Mikel Arteta’s side, who struggled to get out of first gear for much of the first half. Then as if things couldn’t get any worse, Dani Ceballos was shown a second yellow card 12 minutes after the break - and with a two-goal deficit and being a man light, we were all left fearing the worst for the last 30 minutes of play in Spain. But this Arsenal side proved how much character they have gathered compared to the flaky side at the beginning of the season, as they clawed themsel...

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 ...

Who should be the Arsenal keeper for Thursday night's Europa League semi-final 1st leg against Villarreal? By Andy Baber Stick or twist? That is the question Mikel Arteta must answer. Arsenal face Villarreal on Thursday night in their biggest game of the season as they look to move one step closer to securing their place in the Europa League showpiece. But following Bernd Leno’s embarrassing error last time out as the Gunners lost 1-0 to Everton in the Premier League, is he the right man to have between the sticks? Confidence is key for goalkeepers, a position where every error is magnified tenfold, and the German’s fumble has left Arteta with a decision to make for the first-leg clash in Spain. The prospect of being dumped out of the competition by former boss Unai Emery doesn’t bear thinking about - so should the manager keep faith or roll the dice? FROM HERO TO ZERO Arsenal have struggled in the goalkeeping area for years, with no-one quite able to fill the boots of Jens Lehmann...