The 2020/21 UEFA Europa League gradually and winding down to the grand-finale that will happen in Gdansk. The colloquial saying that "boys have been separated from men" is a good phrase one can loosely use in this case.
The four teams (Arsenal, AS Roma, Manchester United and Villarreal CF) remaining are among the biggest clubs in Europe and winning this trophy is a task none of them will take lighthearted as its the best route for three of them to be in the Champions League next season.
Statistics
Games played - 199
Goals scored - 600
Teams with most goals scored
Arsenal - 32 goals
AS Roma - 26 goals
Villarreal - 25 goals
Most attempts at goal
Arsenal - 175 (67 on target)
This season semi-final pitted two English teams against one Italian club and a Spanish side respectively.
Villarreal vs Arsenal
(1st-leg, April 29th & 2nd-leg, May 6th)
The coach of Villarreal, Unai Emery is a familiar name among the Gunners fan-base being a former manager, and due to his experience and records in this competition it will be difficult task to knock him and his boys out.
This is the Yellow Submarine fourth semi-final appearances in this competition, their previous appearances were in 2004, 2011 and 2016.
In the previous four meetings between both sides, Arsenal had 2 wins and the other two ended in stalemates.
So Mikel Arteta Gunners are being tip to qualify especially because winning this trophy is the most realistic way of them qualifying for the next season Champions League.
AS Roma vs Manchester United
(1st-leg, April 29th & 2nd-leg, May 6th)
Roma have been fantastic in this competition and a testament to that is the number of goals they had, including the individual brilliance of former Real Madrid forward Borja Mayoral.
The Red Devils are the favorite to win and qualify after this tie although the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer led side semi-final heartaches have to be broken or else struggle continues.
The Red Devils have a better head-to-head record over the Gialorossi. Hopefully, that translates into them overcoming this hurdle by qualifying for the final.
Predictions
The final might be between the two English teams, however the pendulum can swing the other way as football has shown on numerous occasions in the past.
Fabiyi Ridwan
Sports Writer and Analyst
