ARSENAL KEPT ALIVE their hopes of reaching the Europa League final as a Nicolas Pepe penalty gave the 10-man visitors an away goal in defeat at Villarreal.
The first leg of this semi-final clash appeared to be getting away from the Gunners as first-half goals from Manuel Trigueros and Raul Albiol preceded a Dani Ceballos red card just before the hour.
But Pepe would convert from the spot to send Arsenal home with a 2-1 deficit, Villarreal having also been reduced to 10 men late on following the dismissal of former Tottenham man Etienne Capoue.
This is Arsenal’s third Europa League semi-final in four years but they have only made the final once in that time – under current Villarreal boss Unai Emery, who looked to be getting one over his former club as the hosts made a flying start.
Trigueros opened the scoring with just five minutes on the clock, driving home a low effort after indecision in the Arsenal box allowed Samuel Chukwueze to play in his team-mate.
Manuel Trigueros! 🟡
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) April 29, 2021
Fires Villarreal in front!#VILARS | #UEL pic.twitter.com/Wt0uXnMkSp
Mikel Arteta was left ashen-faced as the lead was doubled before the half-hour, Albiol turning home at the back post as Arsenal failed to get anywhere near to a routine corner.
VILLARREAL SCORE AGAIN! 🟡
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) April 29, 2021
Raúl Albiol makes it 2-0!#VILARS | #UEL pic.twitter.com/qn8eiKmQmY
Pepe thought he had won a penalty after he was tripped inside the box but a VAR review deemed he had handled the ball in the build-up and the award was overturned.
The visitors failed to have a shot on target in the first half and could have been further behind if Bernd Leno had not made a fine stop to deny in-form Gerard Moreno.
But a red card for Ceballos, who was lucky not to pick up a second booking early in the second half, for standing on Dani Parejo looked to have Arteta’s men staring at elimination.
Instead they rallied and gave themselves hope of overturning the aggregate score next week at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal have one back!
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) April 29, 2021
Nicolas Pépé from the spot!#VILARS | #UEL pic.twitter.com/jtCO5l9IFo
Bukayo Saka broke into the Villarreal box and was caught by Trigueros, allowing Pepe to coolly slot home the resulting penalty.
When Capoue was then shown a second yellow card 10 minutes from time as he was taken off on a stretcher after fouling Saka, Arsenal even harboured hopes of an equaliser.
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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Gilroy is one of those players who should really have more international caps than he does. Hes been very unlucky in my opinion.
@Rudiger McMonihan:
Unfortunately for him his all round game is just not up to international class.
I fear that unless Adam Byrne improves his defence he will become the new Craig Gilroy but there is no doubt going forward they are impressive.
You’d worry for Ulster with that backrow. Marcel Coetzee and Jean Deysel always seem to be injured.
I wonder would Leinster have a backrow or two to spare for up north?
@Culture At War: Matt O’Connor was apparently in town this week talking to three Leinster and Ireland players about signing for Leicester Tigers next season. If Nucifora is doing his job properly, he should be making sure we keep our talent here rather than letting other talents leave like Zebo.
@Paul McCutcheon: why would any Irish forward want to play for that crash bang wallop merchant. 2 season playing for him will take 3 season of your career
@Chris Mc: Didnt stop Dominic Ryan going to them and putting any international ambition aside, rather than move North were he would have be greatly appreciated and got plenty of gametime.
@Kingshu: Agreed. Looks like Ryan is going to do a Marty Moore.
Surely Peter Nelson should be getting a start at out half in games like these? Ulster will be in real trouble when CL leaves in the new year.
@Captain NerbNerb: Should be they clearly they are banking on the outcome of the court case.
I was very impressed with McBurney performances for the U20’s over the last two years. He seems to have put on some mass which he needed to add to his already impressive technical skills at both ruck and line out time. In a position that has a load of questions marks for Ireland going forward if he continues to impress and develop his game all the better for Ulster and Ireland. At 21 and having been in the same environment with Best he has the time and guidance.
@Ian Verdon: Tbh John Andrews has a fair turn of speed which never seems fully utilized. If he was brought in the 7s program it might help him develop better footwork and handling skills.
there isnt one decent forward in that pack
@Tommy Bread: Reidy, Henry & Treadwell are all Irish internationals.
@Tommy Bread: disagree, you obviously don’t watch them regularly.
All this fake news circulating !!!
I could have sworn that Ulster announced weeks ago that they had signed a South African loose head forward.
I must be wrong, but then I have this memory of the Ulster management over the last 3 weeks saying something alone the lines of a new prop making his debut this weekend but where did he go.
Maybe they could tell us for real if he is fit or not.
Will he play soon, play this year, this season or is he banjacksed
@Mark Smith: Absolutely. Is it or is not another B@!!s up?
The Kings only real threat is in the backline. If Ulster hope to go there and play expansive sevens style rugby they could be in for a shock! Win the battle up front and when the game is in the bag do the fancy stuff.