GIFT ROBERTS
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed confidence that his team will reach the Europa League final despite losing away 2-1 to a Spanish side, Villarreal last night.
Villarreal coach is a former Arsenal coach and Arteta’s predecessor, Unai Emery.
The Gunners were trailing 2-0 with a man down as Dani Ceballos’ was sent off, Pepe stepped up and fired home an important away goal from the spot after Bukayo Saka had been tripped in the box.
“We didn’t want to come here and lose but after the way the game developed, you have to take the result. If you have to lose it is probably the best result we could have.
Arteta said, “Two different halves. We started to be us, in the first half there were so many moments we weren’t.
“We started to chase and were not precise with the ball, didn’t have enough control. We didn’t have enough threat or desire to attack the box, in the second half it was completely different.
“We are very used to that (Bukayo Saka playing well) this season, but it tells us we need to do much more as we cannot always rely on him. Bernd Leno was very good, at 2-0, the chance with Gerard Moreno, he saved us.
“I am confident we have a chance to win the tie, that’s for sure.”