ANDREW EKEJIUBA
Villarreal winger, Samuel Chukwueze, has fired a warning to Arsenal by saying that he wants to win this season’s UEFA Europa League.
To achieve his dream of winning his first silverware in Europe, Chukwueze and his Villarreal teammates have to see off Arsenal over two legs in the Europa League semifinals before facing either Manchester United or Roma in the showpiece.
Europa League specialist, Unai Emery, has won the competition three times in the past with Sevilla, in 2014, 2015 and 2016, while Villarreal have never reached the final though made the semifinal on three occasions – 2004, 2011 and 2016.
Chuwkueze has rediscovered his best form in recent matches and has convinced manager Emery that he deserves to be in the starting XI, with three consecutive starts in La Liga – something he had not managed since September.
The first leg of the Villarreal, Arsenal Europa League semifinal clash will hold at the Estadio de la Cerámica on Thursday, April 29, with the second leg holding at the Emirates Stadium on May 6, sixteen days before Chukwueze’s 22nd birthday.
Asked if he wants to be granted any wish for his birthday, Chukwueze said: “I would like you to tell me that I am going to win the UEFA Europa League, just tell me! I want to win the UEFA Europa League, thank you!”
On Thursday, it could be Chukwueze’s first match against Arsenal after seeing a transfer to the north London club fall through at the last minute in 2016 despite passing a medical.
The Super Eagle has scored once in the Europa League this season and provided three assists in nine appearances.