Match report: Villarreal 2-1 Arsenal

WHAT HAPPENED

Nicolas Pepe scored a precious away goal at Villarreal to keep our hopes of reaching the Europa League final alive despite defeat in Spain.

We had never previously lost to the ‘Yellow Submarine’ in Europe before, but our hopes were quickly submerged within five minutes of kick off as the hosts took the lead.

Samuel Chukwueze attacked makeshift left back Granit Xhaka in the box, and tried to squeeze past the Swiss international, only for the ball to break kindly for Manu Trigueros, who blasted the ball past Bernd Leno and in.

It was a real hammerblow, and just as we were slowly starting to work our way back into the game, Villarreal doubled their advantage as Raul Albiol volleyed…