Arteta Hopes Arsenal Can Beat Villareal to Save Season

Mikel
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
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Arsenal will be seeking for a second Europa League final appearance in three seasons when they host Spanish side Villareal, needing to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg.

Unai Emery’s Villareal ended the Gunners' competition record run of 12 away games without defeat with their eighth successive European victory in the first leg in Spain. 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says Arsenal will take the "biggest step forward" if they reach the final by overcoming Yellow Submarines on Thursday night.

Villarreal won the first leg 2-1 in Spain a week ago, but Nicolas Pepe's second-half penalty handed Arteta's side a crucial away goal.

Arteta believes it is an extraordinary performance that will make things right for the London side.

"It's a big moment," the Spaniard said.

"Not for me but for the club, for everything that has happened in the last two years, in the last months."

Arsenal reached the Europa League final in 2019 under current Villarreal boss Unai Emery, but were beaten 4-1 by Chelsea in Baku.

"I think it will be really important and our biggest step forward if we are able to be in that final and have the opportunity to win that trophy." Arteta said.

Defender Kieran Tierney could make a return to the side for the first time since suffering a knee injury in the defeat to Liverpool in early April.

Alexandre Lacazette is also in contention after overcoming a hamstring issue, but centre-back David Luiz (hamstring) is unlikely to feature. The match kicks off at 10pm local time.