Arsenal vs Villarreal: Head to Head Record | H2H Stats | History | Previous Results

After two action-packed semi-finals of the Champions League,  the stage is set for the Europa League semi-finals too as Arsenal host Villarreal at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday. 

Before the first leg, the sides last played each other in the Champions League quarter-finals in the 2008-09 season. Let's analyze how the teams have fared when gone head-to-head.

1) Villarreal 2-1 Arsenal (April 2021)

Ex-gunners boss Unai Emery led a stubborn Villarreal side to host his former team in the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals. In the fifth minute of the game, Manuel Trigueros opened Villarreal's account and Arsenal were left with no response. 

Just before the half an hour mark, the La Liga side doubled their advantage via Raul Albiol and Mikel Arteta and Arsenal were taken aback. 

Things for worse for the visitors in the second half as Dani Ceballos was sent off after a second booking, the first of which came in the 44th minute. 

However, a 73rd-minute spot-kick fuelled Arsenal with some hope as they prepare for a fightback in the second leg at home. 

2) Arsenal 3-0 Villarrreal (April 2009)

After a shared result in the first leg, Arsenal had to step up their game to make it to the Champions League semi-finals, while the Yellow Submarine were hopeful that they would take down the hosts.

Both the teams were missing some influential personalities in their side with Arsenal playing without Manuel Almunia, William Gallas, and Gael Clichy, and Villarreal went forward without Santi Cazorla and skipper Marcos Senna.

The kicked picked up pace when Theo Walcott fired one home from a Cesc Fabregas pass. Arsenal then scored their second goal in the 60th minute, with a Robin Van Persie pass that was applied a finishing touch by Emmanuel Adebayor. 

Within ten minutes of doubling their tally, Diego Godin fouled Walcott in the box, with Van Persie putting the game to bed with the penalty. Arsenal won 3-0 and qualified for the semis.

3) Villarreal 1-1 Arsenal (April 2009) 

Arsenal were away at Villarreal for the first leg and they did not have the best of starts. Villarreal found the net first with a goal from Marcos Senna, who fired it from long range. The first half witnessed the domination of the hosts, but Arsenal did not lose their shape.

Persistent efforts were awarded in form of a 66th-minute goal as Arsenal equalized by Emmanuel Adebayor, who scored one of the best goals of the season. The game ended 1-1 and the Gunners were very exulted about the marginal advantage they managed.

4) Villarreal 0-0 Arsenal (April 2006)

The teams played each other in the semi-finals of the 2005-06 Champions League campaign as well. It was Arsenal who progressed after winning the first leg 1-0 while the second leg was a goalless stalemate. 

Villarreal looked set to send the game into extra-time when Gael Clichy fouled Jose Mari in the penalty box which led to a Villarreal penalty, however, Arsenal keeper, Jens Lehmann, denied Juan Roman Riquelme from the spot. 

Diego Forlan missed a glorious chance to pull Villarreal level in the tie as Arsenal sealed a Champions League final clash with Barcelona in Paris.

5) Arsenal 1-0 Villarreal (April 2006)

The only goal of the tie, which was also the winner was scored by Kolo Toure, producing one of his finest performances for Arsenal at Highbury in the first leg of their Champions League clash with Villarreal.

So as things stand, Arsenal have a lead in the head-to-head meetings against Villarreal, but it won't help them to qualify for the finals if they don't beat the Yellow Submarine at home. 

Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Villarreal

What do you think? Will Mikel Arteta move closer to another trophy? Or Will Unai Emery have the last laugh at his former club?

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