Nicolas Pepe kept Arsenal’s Europa League ambitions alive as his late penalty gifted the Gunners a precious away goal during their 2-1 loss in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Villarreal.
Pepe netted from the spot in the 73rd minute after Manu Trigueros and Raul Albiol put Unai Emery’s side into a commanding position heading into half-time.
Arsenal’s night looked to be going from bad to worse when Dani Ceballos was sent off for a second yellow card just after the break. However, they got a foothold back in the game when Etienne Capoue suffered the same fate with two quick yellows.
Villarreal get off to the perfect start
Both sides came into the game with the prospects of playing European football next season hanging in the balance, as the issue of inconsistency continues to plague their form.
With the first real attack of the match, Villarreal took full advantage when Samuel Chukwueze ran down the right and found Trigueros just inside the box.
The Spaniard timed his run perfectly and swept home a first-time effort into the bottom corner to give his side the lead.
Mikel Arteta’s men struggled to gain any momentum early in the game and were punished just before the half-hour mark following some poor marking from a corner.
Daniel Parejo’s whipped cross was met by Gerard Moreno whose flicked header found an unmarked Albiol at the back post. The veteran defender was tasked with the simplest of finishes and made no mistake side footing his shot into the roof of the net.
Arsenal show some fight in the second half
Matters only got worse for the away side when Dani Ceballos was given his marching orders for an apparent stamp on Parejo just after the break.
Arsenal rallied themselves after going down to 10 men and got their reward when Bukayo Saka was brought down in the box.
Referee Artur Dias had little hesitation in pointing to the spot after ruling out one for Arsenal in the first half. Record signing Pepe showed his composure to roll the ball down the middle and gift his side an all important away goal.
With their backs up against the wall, midfielder Capoue gave the hosts a difficult last 10 minutes when he was sent off following a poor challenge on Saka. The Frenchman came off worse from the duel worse and was shown the red card while being carried off on a stretcher from the proceedings.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was thrown on with just over five minutes remaining and nearly found the net following some clever link-up with Thomas Partey.
The Ghanian international played a brilliant reverse ball into Aubameyang’s path, whose first-touch was exemplary and gave him the opportunity to have a snap-shot from a tight angle.
Geronimo Rulli was equal to the finish which not only ensured victory, but it gives Villarreal a 2-1 lead to take to the Emirates next week.
