Villareal vs Arsenal

Arsene Wenger's Arsenal are one step away from making history and reaching the Champions League final where, one imagines, they'll face Barcelona - what a prospect! One shouldn't underestimate the magnitude of Arsenal's task when, on Tuesday evening, they square up against Villarreal for this semi-final second leg at the El Madrigal. However, their away form in this competition has been so impressive that it's hard to envisage them not emerging from this game with at least a draw, thus progressing to the final. Indeed, a draw looks the most likely outcome to my mind. Surprisingly, the bookies are unanimous in pricing up the home side as favourites. Sure, they've yet to lose a home game in this competition but, by the same token, the Gunners haven't been beaten away from Highbury in the Champions League. Some expected Arsenal to be going into this second-leg with more than a one-goal advantage and, while, to state the obvious, a bigger lead would have been ideal, to my mind this scoreline makes the predicament all the more precarious for the home side. Had Arsenal beat Manuel Pellegrini's men by, say for example, three goals at Highbury, at least they could go into this game with a clear objective: attack, attack, attack. However, as they weren't able to gain an all-important away-goal at Highbury, they are going to have to play with real caution in this game, despite having a deficit to overturn. For if the north London side score once in this encounter, Villarreal are going to need three to prevail over the two legs, owing to the away goal rule. Bearing this fact in mind, the Spaniards will not be going hell for leather, because they will be mindful of the fact that, if they leave themselves vulnerable at the back by piling too many forward, Arsenal have the players with the requisite pace and skill to exploit the situation. Indeed, Henry, Reyes and Van Persie are all highly effective when on the counter attack. In fact, Arsenal are they very best in the business when it comes to punishing their opposition in this way. Naturally, I could easily be wrong, but I would surprised if this match didn't turn into a tactical affair and, looking at it objectively, Villarreal are bound to be a bit like cats on hot bricks. If either team are likely to win this match it is, in my opinion, Arsenal. That said, I'll not be back-tracking on my initial prediction: that this game will end all square, probably a 0-0 finish like the return leg between Juve and the Gunners in Turin in the last round. Although I reckon we might be in for a stalemate, I'm not willing to put my money where my money where mouth is. However, where I am going to be investing some of my hard-earned is in the double result market, because the 4/1 Betfred are offering about draw/draw makes plenty of appeal. Villarreal will be fresh, as only defender Cesar Arzo was one of his side's usual eleven to take part in their Primera Liga defeat against Real Sociedad at the weekend, while the lion's share of Arsenal's players that started in their draw with Tottenham on Saturday will also be starting on Tuesday. But, with this tie theirs to lose, I reckon that Arsenal will have the mental fortitude to cast aside any element of fatigue of tiredness given what is at stake, and make things extremely tough for the hosts.