ARSENAL PLAYER RATINGS: Bernd Leno 6 - The German goalkeeper didn’t have too much to deal with as he watched Villarreal’s best shooting opportunities go through comfortable channels for easy saves. AFP
ARSENAL PLAYER RATINGS: Bernd Leno 6 - The German goalkeeper didn’t have too much to deal with as he watched Villarreal’s best shooting opportunities go through comfortable channels for easy saves. AFP
Hector Bellerin 7 - Frequent runs up the flank helped Arsenal advance up the field and the right-back looked to have assisted the opening goal before Aubameyang headed against the post. AFP
Hector Bellerin 7 - Frequent runs up the flank helped Arsenal advance up the field and the right-back looked to have assisted the opening goal before Aubameyang headed against the post. AFP
Rob Holding 6 - No mistakes in defence and the defender almost opened the scoring after a powerful header went narrowly wide of the goal. PA
Rob Holding 6 - No mistakes in defence and the defender almost opened the scoring after a powerful header went narrowly wide of the goal. PA
Pablo Mari 7 - A good display in the air saw Mari deal with the majority of balls into the box. The 27-year-old also transitioned the ball well with balls out to the flanks. A stand-out performer on Thursday night. EPA
Pablo Mari 7 - A good display in the air saw Mari deal with the majority of balls into the box. The 27-year-old also transitioned the ball well with balls out to the flanks. A stand-out performer on Thursday night. EPA
Kieran Tierney 6 - The Scottish defender found Pepe with an intricate flick after the restart and looked brighter after Chukwueze was withdrawn. The 23-year-old’s pressure against Moreno may have kept the game in the balance when presented with Villarreal’s best chance of the game. Reuters
Kieran Tierney 6 - The Scottish defender found Pepe with an intricate flick after the restart and looked brighter after Chukwueze was withdrawn. The 23-year-old’s pressure against Moreno may have kept the game in the balance when presented with Villarreal’s best chance of the game. Reuters
Emile Smith-Rowe 8 - The 20-year-old understood the occasion and played with intent, getting into good areas and moving the ball on to maintain an aggressive tempo with Arsenal requiring a goal to go through. Almost scored after dinking narrowly wide of the post but was unfortunate to be on the losing side. Reuters
Emile Smith-Rowe 8 - The 20-year-old understood the occasion and played with intent, getting into good areas and moving the ball on to maintain an aggressive tempo with Arsenal requiring a goal to go through. Almost scored after dinking narrowly wide of the post but was unfortunate to be on the losing side. Reuters
Thomas Partey 5 - A sloppy foul on the edge of the box gave Villarreal a free kick in a dangerous area which began a difficult night for the Ghanaian who was isolated in midfield. Though Mikel Arteta can be forgiven for a more attacking line up with Arsenal requiring to win to advance. Reuters
Thomas Partey 5 - A sloppy foul on the edge of the box gave Villarreal a free kick in a dangerous area which began a difficult night for the Ghanaian who was isolated in midfield. Though Mikel Arteta can be forgiven for a more attacking line up with Arsenal requiring to win to advance. Reuters
Nicolas Pepe 6 - The Ivorian winger clearly has the magic but Villarreal’s stubborn shape made it hard for both Arsenal wingers on the night. A frustrating evening. PA
Nicolas Pepe 6 - The Ivorian winger clearly has the magic but Villarreal’s stubborn shape made it hard for both Arsenal wingers on the night. A frustrating evening. PA
Martin Odegaard 6 - Kept the play ticking but not much else from the Norwegian attacking midfielder. Whether it’s cadence or chemistry, the on-loan Real Madrid midfielder isn’t shining much in Arteta’s system. Getty Images
Martin Odegaard 6 - Kept the play ticking but not much else from the Norwegian attacking midfielder. Whether it’s cadence or chemistry, the on-loan Real Madrid midfielder isn’t shining much in Arteta’s system. Getty Images
Bukayo Saka 6 - Looked to attack the Villarreal defence but the final ball of the young winger wasn’t there. A disappointing display from the winger who normally causes problems for the defence. AP
Bukayo Saka 6 - Looked to attack the Villarreal defence but the final ball of the young winger wasn’t there. A disappointing display from the winger who normally causes problems for the defence. AP
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang 6 - The woodwork wasn’t on the side of the forward with Aubameyang striking against the post on two occasions. The 31-year-old made the most of little service throughout the game but couldn’t find the net. Reuters
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang 6 - The woodwork wasn’t on the side of the forward with Aubameyang striking against the post on two occasions. The 31-year-old made the most of little service throughout the game but couldn’t find the net. Reuters
SUBS: Gabriel Martinelli (Odegaard, 66) 6 - A positive move by Arteta but Martinelli seemed to face the same issues Pepe had with Villarreal isolating Arsenal’s attackers quickly. Getty Images
SUBS: Gabriel Martinelli (Odegaard, 66) 6 - A positive move by Arteta but Martinelli seemed to face the same issues Pepe had with Villarreal isolating Arsenal’s attackers quickly. Getty Images
Willian (Tierney, 80) N/R - Almost unnoticeable after being introduced in the 80th minute. Reuters
Willian (Tierney, 80) N/R - Almost unnoticeable after being introduced in the 80th minute. Reuters
Alexandre Lacazette (Aubameyang, 80) N/R - Just as isolated as Aubameyang was with Pau Torres and Raul Albiol keeping the Frenchman quiet. Reuters
Alexandre Lacazette (Aubameyang, 80) N/R - Just as isolated as Aubameyang was with Pau Torres and Raul Albiol keeping the Frenchman quiet. Reuters
Eddie Nketiah (Bellerin, 91) N/R - Not much the forward could do with the game becoming stop-start in the final minutes. Getty Images
Eddie Nketiah (Bellerin, 91) N/R - Not much the forward could do with the game becoming stop-start in the final minutes. Getty Images
VILLARREAL PLAYER RATINGS: Geronimo Rulli 5 - Almost made a mess of an Aubameyang shot in the first half and then nearly gifted a goal to Smith-Rowe when failing to deal with a cross. EPA
VILLARREAL PLAYER RATINGS: Geronimo Rulli 5 - Almost made a mess of an Aubameyang shot in the first half and then nearly gifted a goal to Smith-Rowe when failing to deal with a cross. EPA
Mario Gaspar 6 - Dealt well with Pepe who often tried to get at the defender. Could have supported Yeremi Pino more who looked to be struggling to create much on the right flank, though Unai Emery’s side were only interested in counter-attacks. AP
Mario Gaspar 6 - Dealt well with Pepe who often tried to get at the defender. Could have supported Yeremi Pino more who looked to be struggling to create much on the right flank, though Unai Emery’s side were only interested in counter-attacks. AP
Raul Albiol 7 - Alert to the danger as the Spanish centre-back looked to deal with Arsenal threats quickly and got in the way of a number of balls which asked questions of the Villarreal defence. Getty Images
Raul Albiol 7 - Alert to the danger as the Spanish centre-back looked to deal with Arsenal threats quickly and got in the way of a number of balls which asked questions of the Villarreal defence. Getty Images
Pau Torres 7 - Commanded the defence well alongside Albiol with Arsenal rarely getting a chance to shoot inside the box on the night. Helped clear some crosses which Rulli didn’t look comfortable dealing with. AP
Pau Torres 7 - Commanded the defence well alongside Albiol with Arsenal rarely getting a chance to shoot inside the box on the night. Helped clear some crosses which Rulli didn’t look comfortable dealing with. AP
Alfonso Pedraza 7 - A strong display on both ends of the pitch as the left-back defended well against a difficult matchup of Saka and Bellerin. AFP
Alfonso Pedraza 7 - A strong display on both ends of the pitch as the left-back defended well against a difficult matchup of Saka and Bellerin. AFP
Francis Coquelin 6 - Careless play in the 70th-minute gave Arsenal a free-kick in a dangerous situation. A good block against Bellerin inside the box helped prevent what would have been a dangerous moment in the game for Villarreal. AFP
Francis Coquelin 6 - Careless play in the 70th-minute gave Arsenal a free-kick in a dangerous situation. A good block against Bellerin inside the box helped prevent what would have been a dangerous moment in the game for Villarreal. AFP
Dani Parejo 6 - Came close with a freekick but spent the majority of the game defending and was often in the way of Arsenal attempts from outside the box. Reuters
Dani Parejo 6 - Came close with a freekick but spent the majority of the game defending and was often in the way of Arsenal attempts from outside the box. Reuters
Manu Trigueros 6 - The 29-year-old is usually one of Villarreal’s stand-out players but he wasn’t as influential, with Arsenal applying pressure in the second half. Helped out the defence well against Arsenal’s overlapping runs. Reuters
Manu Trigueros 6 - The 29-year-old is usually one of Villarreal’s stand-out players but he wasn’t as influential, with Arsenal applying pressure in the second half. Helped out the defence well against Arsenal’s overlapping runs. Reuters
Paco Alcacer 6 - Worked hard and helped get the ball to Moreno but it was a quiet display overall from the forward. Eventually replaced by Carlos Bacca. Getty Images
Paco Alcacer 6 - Worked hard and helped get the ball to Moreno but it was a quiet display overall from the forward. Eventually replaced by Carlos Bacca. Getty Images
Gerard Moreno 6 - Could have put Villarreal in front but a tame effort rolled into the hands of Leno. A poor effort which the striker prioritised over passing to the overlapping run. AFP
Gerard Moreno 6 - Could have put Villarreal in front but a tame effort rolled into the hands of Leno. A poor effort which the striker prioritised over passing to the overlapping run. AFP
Samuel Chukwueze 7 - Warned Arsenal early on with a curling effort saved by Leno. The Nigerian winger was one of Villarreal’s brightest sparks before being stretchered off with an injury. Getty Images
Samuel Chukwueze 7 - Warned Arsenal early on with a curling effort saved by Leno. The Nigerian winger was one of Villarreal’s brightest sparks before being stretchered off with an injury. Getty Images
SUBS: Yeremi Pino (Chukwueze, 30) 6 - The 18-year-old worked hard but it was always a difficult task to replace the influence of Chukwueze. Looked bright in spells but didn’t really threaten Tierney. Reuters
SUBS: Yeremi Pino (Chukwueze, 30) 6 - The 18-year-old worked hard but it was always a difficult task to replace the influence of Chukwueze. Looked bright in spells but didn’t really threaten Tierney. Reuters
Carlos Bacca (Alcacer, 73) N/R - Not much to do with Villarreal defending the game out but worked hard for Unai Emery’s side. EPA
Carlos Bacca (Alcacer, 73) N/R - Not much to do with Villarreal defending the game out but worked hard for Unai Emery’s side. EPA
Alberto Moreno (Alfonso Pedraza, 91) N/R - Introduced to help defend against Arsenal’s late flurry. Pedraza looked to be tired after a solid performance. Reuters
Alberto Moreno (Alfonso Pedraza, 91) N/R - Introduced to help defend against Arsenal’s late flurry. Pedraza looked to be tired after a solid performance. Reuters
Moi Gomez (Yeremi Pino, 91) N/R - On for the youngster who made his way back off the field with the midfielder on to see out the game. PA
Moi Gomez (Yeremi Pino, 91) N/R - On for the youngster who made his way back off the field with the midfielder on to see out the game. PA

Football

Arsenal v Villarreal player ratings: Emile Smith-Rowe a rare bright spark for Gunners as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fails to deliver

A goalless draw at Emirates Stadium sends La Liga side through to Europa League final after 2-1 win in first leg

Adam Brown

May 07, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Villarreal held out for a 0-0 draw on a nerve-jangling night away to Arsenal to reach the Europa League final on Thursday with a 2-1 aggregate victory.

Read More

Mikel Arteta 'devastated' as Arsenal crash out of Europa League semi-finals with goalless draw against Villarreal

The Spanish side protected their first-leg advantage with a disciplined display, riding their luck at times with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang twice hitting the post for the hosts.

Villarreal survived five minutes of stoppage time as Arsenal tried in vain to keep their season alive, celebrating wildly at the end as the club reached their first European final.

It was a momentous night for Villarreal manager Unai Emery who was sacked by Arsenal in 2019. He now has the chnace to win the Europa Leaguye for a fourth time when Villarreal take on Manchester United in the final in Gdansk later this month.

Reflecting on the performances at the Emirates Stadium, Adam Brown has provided his player ratings in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

Whiile you're here
Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3EDate%20started%3A%20January%202022%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Omar%20Abu%20Innab%2C%20Silvia%20Eldawi%2C%20Walid%20Shihabi%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20PropTech%20%2F%20investment%3Cbr%3EEmployees%3A%2040%3Cbr%3EStage%3A%20Seed%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Multiple%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi

“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Floward%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdulaziz%20Al%20Loughani%20and%20Mohamed%20Al%20Arifi%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EE-commerce%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbout%20%24200%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAljazira%20Capital%2C%20Rainwater%20Partners%2C%20STV%20and%20Impact46%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C200%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying

Russia's Muslim Heartlands

Dominic Rubin, Oxford

You might also like

Celta Vigo 2
Castro (45'), Aspas (82')

Barcelona 2
Dembele (36'), Alcacer (64')

Red card: Sergi Roberto (Barcelona)

THE SPECS

Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre

Transmission: Seven-speed auto

Power: 165hp

Torque: 241Nm

Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000

On sale: now

War and the virus
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Transgender report
STAY%2C%20DAUGHTER
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYasmin%20Azad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESwift%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Transgender report
The Indo-Pacific
While you're here:
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin

Director: Shawn Levy

Rating: 3/5

THE SPECS

Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now

SportFootball