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Report: Arsenal’s Europa League opponents ‘almost certain’ to miss key player next Thursday

Arsenal have it all to do next Thursday as the Gunners host Villarreal in their Europa League semi-final second leg at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta’s charges fell behind after just five minutes in the first leg as Manu Trigueiros opened the scoring for the hosts.

Raul Albiol then made it two just before the half-hour mark, leaving Arsenal facing a humiliating defeat and potentially a mountain to climb.

Villareal CF v Arsenal - UEFA Europa League Semi Final Leg One
(Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)

Dani Ceballos was then sent off before the hour but the Gunners managed to get an away goal, Nicolas Pepe netting a 73rd-minute penalty.

And the game finished with both sides down to ten men after Etienne Capoue was given his marching orders 10 minutes from time.

Tottenham loanee Juan Foyth put in an impressive display for the hosts at right-back, playing a key role in their opener, but had to be taken off in the 70th minute due to a hamstring issue.

“After the tests carried out, it has been confirmed that footballer Juan Foyth suffered muscle damage to the hamstrings of his left leg during the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-finals against Arsenal FC,” Villarreal wrote on their today.

“The recovery time will be subject to the evolution of the player.”

Despite Villarreal not revealing how long the Argentine defender is set to be sidelined for, claims that it’s almost certain that he will miss the crunch clash in north London.