Villarreal 2-1 Arsenal LIVE RESULT: Pepe gets crucial away goal as Ceballos and Capoue sent off in Europa League semi
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ARSENAL have picked up a crucial away goal at Villarreal in an enthralling tie which saw both sides finish with ten men.
Manu Trigueros gave the hosts an early lead before Raul Albiol tapped in a second from a corner.
And things then went from bad to worse with Dani Ceballos SENT OFF after receiving a second yellow card.
But Nicolas Pepe then converted a penalty for Arsenal before Etienne Capoue was sent off for the hosts.
VILLARREAL 2-0 ARSENAL
44 YELLOW CARD
Ceballos gets booked for a foul on Foyth, who puts together another sensational run.
The Villarreal ace is getting a lot of space down the right flank, Xhaka needs to do better.
Ceballos brings him down with a cheeky foul
VILLARREAL 2-0 ARSENAL
43 CHANCE!
Villarreal come close to a third as Foyth drives the ball down the pitch with a sensational run.
The Tottenham loanee delivers a through ball to Gerard who picks it up and dribbles past Leno but loses his balance.
Dicey moment for Arsenal there...
VILLARREAL 2-0 ARSENAL
42 CHANCE
...And probably the best one Arsenal have had in the first half.
Odegaard delivers a pin-point free-kick from the right flank and finds Holding whose header misses the target, but not by much
VILLARREAL 2-0 ARSENAL
41 Villarreal ace Chukwueze has left his mark already in the first half.
More below:
VILLARREAL 2-0 ARSENAL
38 Odegaard delivers the cross but Albiol hits the deck and earns a foul.
Villarreal try to counter but Leno just beats Paco for the ball after he leaves his own area
VILLARREAL 2-0 ARSENAL
37 YELLOW CARD
Torres gets booked for a rough tackle on Saka, that is a good set piece for Arsenal!
VILLARREAL 2-0 ARSENAL
35 NO PENALTY
Referee checks the incident in the VAR screen and it shows the ball bouncing off Pepe's arm.
No penalty for Arsenal before half-time
VILLARREAL 2-0 ARSENAL
34 Pepe is brought down just on the line of the Villarreal box by Foyth.
But the hosts are claiming there was a handball by Pepe in the buildup
PENALTY FOR ARSENAL!!!!
(Pending VAR Check)
VILLARREAL 2-0 ARSENAL
32 What an incredible star by Villarreal who get two goals even though they aren't dominating.
But compared to Arsenal, the Yellow Submarine are efficient and are making the most out of any opportunity they find.
The Gunners have yet to worry Rulli in the first half
GETTY IMAGES VILLARREAL 2-0 ARSENAL
30 Oh dear...
The tie is starting to slip away from Arsenal following two goals that came out of nowhere!
Parejo delivers a beautiful corner-kick from the left and finds Gerard, who heads it backwards where Albiol is.
The Villarreal captain gets a close-range shot and beats Leno with ease.
Some horrendous defending from Arsenal, who really need to shape up quick!
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL!
VILLARREAL DOUBLE THEIR LEAD WITH ALBIOL!!!!
VILLARREAL 1-0 ARSENAL
29 CHANCE
Partey fires a long-range shot and completely misses the target following a pin-point cross by Rowe to Saka down the right flank.
The pass is magnificent, the shot is not
VILLARREAL 1-0 ARSENAL
28 Pedraza is down on the ground for the second time in the last few minutes.
The Villarreal star gets back up on his feet, not much tempo in the first half
VILLARREAL 1-0 ARSENAL
25 CHANCE
Arsenal get their first big chance of the match.
Saka tries a curling shot from the edge of the box but doesn't worry Rully.
There was a hint of desperation in that shot...
VILLARREAL 1-0 ARSENAL
23 Ceballos and Partey continue to show creativity in midfield with some smart long passes.
But the visitors have yet to truly test Rulli
VILLARREAL 1-0 ARSENAL
20 Villarreal are really struggling to move the ball around.
Their game plan has been quite basic so far and lacks substance.
Arsenal are quite comfortable when defending
VILLARREAL 1-0 ARSENAL
18 Villarreal are losing the ball easily, especially in midfield.
Arsenal have yet to create a major threat but are starting to knock on the hosts' door.
Partey and Ceballos are especially lively in midfield and so is Saka down the wing
VILLARREAL 1-0 ARSENAL
15 Villarreal are set on playing out the back regardless of the pressure they are enduring from Arsenal.
It only works up to the point the reach the centre of the pitch.
The hosts are still struggling to move the ball down the attacking third
VILLARREAL 1-0 ARSENAL
13 It only took less than five minutes for Villarreal to open the scoring and mark one of the quickest goals Arsenal have ever conceded in Europe.
More below:
VILLARREAL 1-0 ARSENAL
10 Arsenal are still holding possession but are unable to create much threat down the attacking third.
Very early days but Arteta's men will need to start imposing their will before Villarreal get comfortable
VILLARREAL 1-0 ARSENAL
8 An impeccable start for Villarreal who are still undefeated in the Europa League.
Arsenal, thpough, are still holding possession in the opening few minutes of the first half
GETTY IMAGES VILLARREAL 1-0 ARSENAL
5 Spoke too soon, but Arsenal did indeed look good before the goal.
Chukwueze causes all sorts of problems for Arsenal down the right flank and nutmegs Ceballos.
The ball goes to Trigueros who fires a powerful shot that goes between Partey's legs and to the back of Leno's net!
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL!
VILLARREAL STRIKE FIRST WITH TRIGUEROS!!!!!
VILLARREAL 0-0 ARSENAL
5 A positive start for Arsenal as they are not allowing Villarreal to move the ball forward.
The Gunners are holding possession and applying immense pressure high up on the pitch when they are dispossesed
