Emery hopes to end Arsenal’s Europa League unbeaten away run
Castellon, Spain, Apr 27 (EFE).- Villarreal coach Unai Emery faces his former team Arsenal on Thursday hoping to end a run of 12 matches unbeaten away from home in the Europa League that he began two seasons ago.
The English club were last defeated away from the Emirates Stadium in the tournament by Rennes in the first leg of the last-16 of the 2018-2019 season, under Emery, who led them to the final, where the Gunners lost 4-1 to Chelsea.
Since that Rennes defeat, Arsenal have since racked up nine victories and three draws, a run the Spanish team has to end to be in a good position ahead of the semifinal second leg.
“I want to win for myself and for Villarreal. [Two years ago] I was defending Arsenal’s red [and white] colors in that final against Chelsea, now I feel that affinity for the yellow of Villarreal,” he told Uefa.
“I will have to put aside my feelings for Arsenal, and I will have to put all my energies into making sure that the Yellow Submarine gets the upper hand in the tie,” he added.
Villarreal will be hoping to extend their own European home run this season of six victories at Estadio de la Cerámica.
The Spanish club are now three wins away from their longest European winning streak they recorded in the 2010-2011 season.
“It will be a great contest, regardless of my having coached there recently,” Emery said. EFE
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