Villarreal vs Arsenal: 5 key battles | UEFA Europa League 2020-21

#3 Dani Parejo (Villareal) vs Thomas Partey (Arsenal)

Dani Parejo's playmaking skills could test Arsenal.

With both Arsenal and Villareal boasting a plethora of attacking talents in their ranks, the game could be decided by which attack fares better. On current form, Dani Parejo has been in imperious form.

Since joining Villarreal last summer, he has quickly become their chief orchestrator, cutting opposition defences with incisive through-balls and controlling the tempo of games with elegant passes.

Dani Parejo with a ROCKET! 🚀Unbelievable hit from the Villarreal midfielder 💥"Just unreal how cleanly he hit that!" 🗣 pic.twitter.com/Nw1OuazpzR

— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) January 30, 2021

Thomas Partey will have the Herculean task of keeping Parejo quiet on the day. The Arsenal midfielder has been a mixed bag since arriving from the Spanish capital in October last year. He must ensure Parejo doesn't have too much time and space to work into, which would augur well for Arsenal's hopes of winning the game.

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#4 Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) vs Samuel Chukwueze (Villareal)

Samuel Chukwueze could be a huge threat down Arsenal's flanks.

Granit Xhaka has become more of a utility man for Arsenal and might start at left-back against Villareal, where he's likely come up against the marauding winger Samuel Chukwueze.

Samuel Chukwueze's last four games for Villarreal:🅰️ vs. Dinamo Zagreb⚽ ⚽ vs. Levante❌ vs. Alaves⚽ vs. BarcelonaBe afraid, Arsenal. Be afraid. pic.twitter.com/HiDT8oZD1K

— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) April 28, 2021

Tall, quick and with terrier-like pressing prowess, the Nigerian has looked unstoppable of late. He scored a sensational goal against Barcelona last week. And if that's a precursor of what's to come on Thursday, Xhaka could have a tough outing.

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#5 Nicolas Pepe (Arsenal) vs Pervis Estupinan (Villareal)

Nicolas Pepe has been in superb form in the Europa League for Arsenal this season.

While the jury is still out on Nicolas Pepe, he has been a key player for Arsenal in Europe this season, scoring five goals and chipping in with four assists.

The flick from Arsenal's Nicolas Pepe to Alexandre Lacazette 👏pic.twitter.com/OfmIeiZEL6

— Goal (@goal) April 27, 2021

His penchant of cutting onto his left foot is something to behold, and that's something Pervis Estupinan should be wary of. Estupinan will also have to track Nicolas Pepe's runs closely, as the Ivorian likes to cut inside and tee off other colleagues in advanced positions on the field.