Nicolas Pepe would possibly simply be relishing Arsenal’s Europa League semi-final second leg with Villarreal.
The Gunners shall be trying to attempt and overturn a 2-1 deficit in opposition to the Yellow Submarine when the 2 groups meet for the decisive second leg on the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night time.
The big lifeline for Arsenal from the defeat in Castellon was the away aim scored by Pepe from the spot, and it could be the Ivorian winger who makes the distinction total within the tie.
That’s as a result of Villarreal have some hassle within the right-back place, the place Pepe will seemingly be attacking having impressed on the left facet of the Arsenal assault at Estadio de la Ceramica.
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Juan Foyth pulled up within the first leg with a hamstring injury having brought about Arsenal all method of points from right-back, marauding ahead, and it has since been confirmed he has suffered muscular injury to his hamstring.
That ought to rule the Spurs loanee out for Thursday, and seemingly second selection right-back Ruben Peña, has already been dominated as a doubt for Villarreal’s La Liga conflict with Getafe on Sunday.
Unai Emery stated in his pre-match press convention: “We will have our final session in the present day (Saturday), we’re going to see how they play to take the choice on the beginning XI we choose.
“We are searching for a beginning XI that enables us to compete with Getafe. We are going to be pondering of this sport, and what Getafe carry.
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“We are going to guage it. We are with out [Juan] Foyth, we’re going to see what occurs with [Ruben] Peña, the remainder of the squad are nicely, other than [Manu] Trigueros attributable to suspension.”
Fortunately for Villarreal, they’re very nicely stocked on the full-back place on either side, having three choices on the left and proper.
If Peña doesn’t return, three-time Spain worldwide Mario Gaspar, who has beforehand been linked with a transfer to Manchester United, will step in, and he could even be a candidate if Peña is again.
Either manner, Pepe shall be glad to see Foyth is out given how nicely the Argentine performed on Thursday, and he would possibly simply get a confidence enhance on the expense of Villarreal heading into Thursday.
