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Europa: Tierney, Lacazette, Aubameyang return for Arsenal against Villarreal

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Europa: Tierney, Lacazette, Aubameyang returns for Arsenal in tonight clash against Villarreal



London club, Arsenal FC are hoping to get back to winning ways when they face Villarreal in the first leg semi final of the Europa League this evening.

The gunners, who earlier defeated the Czech outfit, Slavia Prague 5-1 on aggregate after a sublime 4-0 away triumph in the second-leg, were humbled 1-0 by Everton in the Premier League last Friday evening.

However, their reward for getting past Slavia is a two-legged showdown with former manager Unai Emery and his Villarreal side, with a place in the final against either Manchester United or AS Roma up for grabs.

Ahead of this evening’s clash, manager Mikel Arteta has been handed a triple boost on the injury front, with Kieran Tierney, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all available for selection.

Football London reported that Tierney’s return is likely to see him slot straight back into the side at left-back, allowing Granit Xhaka to move back into a more familiar midfield role after filling in for the Scot on the left side of the defence.

In truth, there is a great deal of pressure weighing on Arsenal’s shoulders ahead of the two-legged affair.

While winning the Europa League remains their most favourable route into Europe for next season, their Premier League position currently look somewhat concerning as far as their European aspirations are concerned.

Arteta, however, believed the challenges are surmounted giving their past antecedents.

“This is what they’ve shown since I’ve been here,” said the Arsenal boss. “In moments of big pressure, in moments where we have to deliver they’ve done it.

“Not only in the [FA Cup] final against Chelsea, in the final against Liverpool when we won the Community Shield as well, but in some moments in this Europa League as well when the tie was against us and we had to find a way to go through.

“So I am positive that we have this experience now as well and the players believe they can do it.”

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