'We got to be in the final' - Kanu sends message to Arsenal players ahead of showdown vs Villarreal

Legendary Arsenal striker Nwankwo Kanu has sent a message to the Arsenal players before their season-defining game against Villarreal in the semifinal of the Europa League on Thursday night.

The Gunners could miss out on a European place if they fail to see off the La Liga side as they are unlikely to qualify for next season's Europa League or Conference League via their league standing.

One of the challenges Mikel Arteta's team is facing today is that they must score at least one goal at the Emirates Stadium to stand a chance of progressing to the Europa League final, having lost 2-1 to the Yellow Submarine in the first leg.

In addition, Villarreal manager Unai Emery is the most experienced coach in the Europa League, he led Sevilla to three consecutive titles and reached a fourth final with Arsenal during the 2018-2019 season.

Kanu has taken to social media to send an inspirational message to the Arsenal players, urging them to beat Villarreal.

In a 23-second video posted on Twitter, the former Arsenal number 25 said : "Hello, this is Kanu. Tonight is Arsenal's semifinal game, come on you Gunners, come on Arsenal, come on boys, we need this you know that.

"We got to win this, we got to be in the finals. Come on let's do it. Arsenal, London is all red."

Kanu won two Premier League titles and two FA Cup medals during his five-year association with Arsenal.

The 1996 Atlanta Olympics gold medalist was a member of the Arsenal side that lost to Galatasaray in the UEFA Cup final in 2000.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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