Mikel Arteta won’t have endeared himself to Arsenal‘s more mutinous supporters with his take on the Kroenkes.
Ahead of the Europa League semi-final first leg trip to Villarreal, Arteta contended that fans might be “surprised” if they got to know the men behind the club’s owners, KSE. More pressing for the Gunners boss, however, is the chance to endear himself to those same supporters by reaching another final.
Over the past fortnight, it has been difficult to separate the football itself from the theatre of the European Super League fallout; indeed, the protests staged outside the Emirates ahead of the 1-0 defeat to Everton were arguably more impressive than the displays mustered by the players inside the ground.
Yet Europe has been a source of respite all season and some relief would certainly be welcome for Arteta amidst a run of just two wins in seven Premier League matches.
Uncomfortably, being drawn against Villarreal means an ill-timed reunion with former manager Unai Emery – and for the hot seat’s current incumbent, comparisons with his predecessor are not always flattering.
When he took over in 2019, he says Emery was very “sincere” in giving him advice on the new job, even offering to sell him his house.
The house he inherited at the Emirates has not yet capitulated, but it is home to an increasingly dire state of affairs with the north Londoners sat 10th and Arteta being placed under ever more scrutiny.
Team news
Making the semi-final all the more daunting is the fact Arsenal will be sweating on a number of late fitness tests, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette both doubtful.
That would leave Arteta without either of his first-choice strikers and he could either rely on youngsters Eddie Nketiah or Gabriel Martinelli in their places or bring Nicolas Pepe into a more central role.
David Luiz should be able to return after a knee problem and there is more positive news regarding Kieran Tierney, who was previously not expected to play again this season after suffering knee ligament damage against Liverpool.
The Scotsman could make the bench, but in the meantime Granit Xhaka may fill in at left-back again with options limited.
Martin Odegaard is set to start in midfield having been introduced with a quarter of an hour remaining in the loss to Everton.
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