Villarreal let Arsenal escape alive in a tie that was very expensive and now they will have to defend their minimum income at the Emirates if they want to play the first final in their history.

Unai Emery's team had the opportunity to leave their opponent almost knocked out, with a 2-0 in favor and one more player after the expulsion of Ceballos but the Gunners held on to the tie with a penalty transformed by Pépé when they already played at an inferiority .

The game could not have started better for Emery's men, who went ahead on their first arrival in the area. Parejo broke Arsenal's high pressure playing first for Foyth's boarding, whose additions to the attack always generated danger. The ball ended up at the feet of Chukwueze, who was playing ahead of a misplaced Xhaka. The ball went to the Nigerian in his attempt to dribble but Trigueros was there to send it to the net.

Arteta's team couldn't find a way to reply. Without Lacazette - he was finally left off the list - and with Aubameyang on the bench, the Gunners trusted their options at the speed of Pépé and Saka on the sides, but neither managed to break the safe yellow defense. In the more elaborate attacks, Odegaard also did not find holes through which to get the ball to his teammates in danger zones. The best option for Arsenal ended up invalidating the VAR, when Artur Dias had already signaled a penalty after Pépé's fall in the area. The Ivorian had helped himself by the hand to control a long send to Foyth's back.

Shortly before, Villarreal had opened distances that, without generating too much danger, was exhibiting great efficiency.

Emery's slate worked perfectly in a corner that Gerard extended to the far post for the arrival of Albiol, who scored his second goal of the course in Europe.

Villarreal had the game under control and Arsenal tied up, preventing him from running and making him afraid when he dared to go forward.

The English did not know how to take advantage of the phases in which they managed to take a bit more the initiative against a very solid opponent and who had no problems getting the ball in the face of the high pressure of Arteta's, who put one more point of intensity after the break.

When Villarreal seemed somewhat more asphyxiated, a stomp from Ceballos to Parejo left the Gunners at a disadvantage.

Emery's killer instinct lacked there to finish off their rival.

They had a good option in a shot from Gerard that Leno took with a great hand but they left Arsenal alive and he took advantage of it to achieve a goal that gives him air for the return.

Saka fell in the area against Trigueros and the referee signaled a penalty.

Pépé transformed from eleven meters to leave the tie with everything to be decided within a week.

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