Pundit reveals the key fact why Chukwueze has been named in Villarreal starting XI against Arsenal

Published: April 29, 2021

Villarreal manager Unai Emery has included in-form winger Samuel Chukwueze in his starting lineup for Thursday night's Europa League semifinal clash against Premier League opponents Arsenal at the Estadio de la Cerámica.

Emery will set up his team in a 4-3-3 formation, with Paco Alcácer leading the line, flanked by Chukwueze and Gerard Moreno.

UEFA reporter Graham Hunter expects Emery to tweak his system when they are defending and return to the original formation in the attacking third.

Chukwueze's preferred position is the right flank, where he can play as an inverted winger so as to cut in on his favoured left foot.

Commenting on Villarreal's starting lineup, Hunter said on UEFA's official website : "Probably the key fact is that it's Chukwueze who starts alongside the two principal strikers, Gerard and Paco Alcácer, so that Villarreal can alternate between 4-4-2 without the ball and 4-3-3 when attacking.

"The Nigerian scored a corker of a goal against Barcelona at the weekend and will be asked to repeat the feat."

Chukwueze will be making his tenth appearance in this season's Europa League against the Gunners.

Meanwhile, young Nigeria-eligible goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo is on the bench for the north London club, while Folarin Balogun is not in the matchday 23.

Igho Kingsley

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