CHRIS SUTTON: Arsenal's Martinelli can exploit space behind Villarreal

04/28/2021

CHRIS SUTTON: Barcelona showed Arsenal how to beat Villarreal last week and Gabriel Martinelli is the man to exploit that space in behind… but they must be aware of Gerard Moreno

Villarreal were beaten by Barcelona with a simple ball over the top last week
That’s a job made for Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli in their Europa League clash
Behind Martinelli, I would use Nicolas Pepe, Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka
Arsenal’s defence must be wary of Villarreal’s red-hot striker Gerard Moreno

There is space to exploit behind this Villarreal back line.

A ball over the top and a curved run from Antoine Griezmann was how Barcelona equalised against them in LaLiga last week. That’s a job made for Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli.

Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are struggling to be fit for this semi-final first leg, so I’d like to see the 19-year-old Brazilian in the centre forward position.

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli is the man to exploit the space in behind Villarreal’s defence

Behind Martinelli, I would use the improving Nicolas Pepe on the left, the exciting Emile Smith Rowe at No 10, and the lively Bukayo Saka on the right.

These kids have bailed out their boss more than once this season. They can do it again on Thursday night.

This is 10th in the Premier League against seventh in LaLiga. Both clubs need this competition to make it into the Champions League.

Only Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema have scored more goals in Spain than Gerard Moreno

Unai Emery’s Villarreal like to keep the ball on the ground — they are a creative team with a striker in brilliant form.

Only Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema have scored more goals in Spain than Villarreal’s Gerard Moreno this season.

Arsenal’s back four need to be alert to him. Poor defending cost them against Olympiacos last season — don’t go giving Moreno any gifts on Thursday night.

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