'Individual brilliance' - Emery sends warning to Arsenal about Super Eagles winger Chukwueze

Published: April 16, 2021

Unai Emery's Villarreal will do battle with Arsenal in the UEFA Europa League semifinal after they beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-1 on aggregate on Thursday night.

Paco Alcacer gave them the lead on the night nine minutes before half-time, assisted by Samuel Chukwueze, before Gerard Moreno doubled the lead in the 43rd minute.

The Super Eagles winger was arguably the best player on the pitch, hitting the woodwork in each half and only a great save prevented him from scoring in the closing minutes.

Ahead of the Yellow Submarine's clash against Arsenal in the last four, Emery highlighted the influence of Chukwueze to the Villarreal squad and singled him out for special praise for his excellent display against Dinamo Zagreb.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Emery said : "We have found the individual contribution like Samu's today on the right wing, where he has found again situations of individual brilliance, which brought very good things to the team".

Arsenal had been in pole position to sign Chukweze after he put himself in the shop window during the 2015 U17 World Cup, only for the deal to collapse at the last minute after the Gunners and Diamond Academy could not agree on the payment terms despite the winger passing a medical.

Arsenal agreed a £1.5 million transfer fee and the Nigerian club would have been paid £500,000 when he breaks into the first team plus an extra £500,000 when he makes his first appearance for the Super Eagles.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : villarrealcf.com

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