Arsenal team news: Expected line-up vs Villarreal as Kieran Tierney and David Luiz start

Arsenal: Arteta opens up on semi-final pressure

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could gamble on the fitness of a number of first-team players for tonight’s Europa League semi-final second leg against Villarreal. The Gunners trail 2-1 following the first leg against Unai Emery’s side last week. Express Sport has picked the Arsenal XI we expect to line up at the Emirates this evening.

Goalkeeper – Leno

Bernd Leno is set to replace Mat Ryan in goal despite the Australian’s faultless performance against Newcastle on Sunday.

Leno has looked shaky in recent months and has made a number of high-profile errors.

Arteta cannot afford any of those mistakes to be repeated this evening.

However, Leno has the experience at this level which will ultimately give him the nod over Ryan for this one.

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Defence – Chambers, Luiz, Mari, Tierney

Two of Arteta’s fitness gambles are set to come in defence.

David Luiz was somehow in full training on Wednesday despite hobbling off Sunday’s match at St James’ Park with a hamstring injury.

Luiz could partner Pablo Mari at the back, who got the nod over Gabriel for the first leg last week.

Kieran Tierney has not played for over a month but has been training for a week now and Arteta will be desperate to use the Scot from the start.

Calum Chambers has been the go-to man at right-back of late.

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Midfield – Partey, Xhaka; Odegaard

Tierney’s return could mean a move back into a more familiar midfield role for Granit Xhaka.

Dani Ceballos is suspended after his sending off in last week’s match in Spain, so Thomas Partey will partner the Swiss in the middle of the park.

Arsenal need a better performance from Partey than they got at El Madrigal.

Martin Odegaard is likely to get the nod in the No 10 role.

Attack – Saka, Aubameyang, Smith Rowe

Alexandre Lacazette is back in full training but Arteta could save the  Frenchman for later in the match.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang said at yesterday’s press conference he prefers a central role and Arteta could deploy him there tonight.

Emile Smith Rowe may operate from the left due to Odegaard’s inclusion at No 10.

Bukayo Saka will start on the right, with the unfortunate Nicolas Pepe having to settle for a place on the bench.

Arsenal expected XI vs Villarreal in full: Leno; Chambers, Luiz, Mari, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Aubameyang.

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