:quality(80)/cdn-kiosk-api.telegraaf.nl/15abacaa-aeb0-11eb-9130-02d1dbdc35d1.jpg "Villarreal crosses English party in European finals | Football")
sport">Arsenal had placed their hopes on attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the return. The Gabonese has just recovered from a severe malaria attack that hit him on a visit to his homeland. In the first game against the Spaniards (2-1 win Villarreal) he participated as a substitute for five minutes, but last Sunday at the Premier League match against Newcastle United, Aubameyang was already 78 minutes away and had a goal and a assist a large share in the 2-0 win. In the run-up to the meeting with Villarreal, Aubameyang told how difficult the past period has been for him. “I felt really bad. I have never been that sick in my life, it was really difficult. I had a fever for three days in a row, all day and all night, non-stop. Even the paracetamol had no effect on this. ”
sport">Aubameyang almost lived up to the high expectations, but a nice shot from the outside left hit the post in the first half. And after the break, the Gabonese had bad luck again, when an excellent header bounced back into the field via the post. The Goaltje thief, born in Laval, France, was not given to make a difference this time.
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Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney runs after the ball.
Ⓒ AFP
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sport">Compared to last week, when Arsenal had little to say against Villarreal in Spain, the Londoners came out a lot stronger. But the team of trainer Mikel Arteta did not manage to push through sufficiently, so that Villarreal goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, who did not make a certain impression, did not get into problems very often.
sport">Because Arsenal is ninth in the Premier League and therefore has to do without Champions League football for another year – and even has to work hard to participate in the Conference League – the Europa League could have offered a way out. The winner of the tournament may participate in the champion ball next year. But the losing Europa League finalist from two years ago was unable to impose enough on Villarreal. There were some chances for Emile Smith Rowe, Nicolas Pepe and Stuart Holding, but the biggest danger came from Aubameyang, who couldn’t brighten up his comeback after malaria with the goal so desperately longed for.
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Raul Albiol (m) van Villarreal plays the ball off with his head.
Ⓒ EPA
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sport">Compared to last week, Villarreal had little offensive intentions, but played fully on the 0-0. The choice of Unai Emery (former coach of Arsenal) to hold on to Europa League keeper Rulli and not to choose the permanent first goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo almost threatened to throw a spanner in the works, as the Argentinian fumbled around. but in the end Arsenal was not sharp enough to take advantage of it. With which Villarreal can play the first European final after four semi-final places in history (1x UEFA Cup, 2x Europa League and 1x Champions League). On May 26, ‘the Yellow Submarine’, as the Spanish mid-engine’s nickname is, will take on Manchester United in the final in Gdansk. The English are the favorites, but Villarreal, which has not yet lost a match in the entire Europa League tournament, is a tough opponent. It also proved that against Arsenal, which bit its teeth on the lepid Spaniards.
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