Europa League: Chukwueze Injured As Villarreal Edge Arsenal To Set Up Manchester United Final

Chukwueze during the football match between Villarreal CF and CD Leganes on April 21, 2019 at Ceramica Stadium in Villarreal, Spain. Cordon Press

Samuel Chukwueze faces a race against time to be fit for the Europa League final after he was stretched off as Villarreal held Arsenal to a goalless draw at the Emirates to triumph 2-1 on aggregate.

Chukwueze whose fifth assist in the competition contributed to Villarreal’s 2-1 win in the first leg, went down without touch and was stretched out with what appeared a serious looking injury in the first half.

Despite his withdrawal, the Spanish side managed to hold the Gunners at bay as Unai Emery knocked his former side out of the competition to set up a final against Manchester United in Gdansk on 26 May.

Manchester United booked their place in the final after a seesaw game at the Stadio Olimpico that saw AS Roma win 3-2 on the night but lose 8-5 on aggregate.

The Italians trailed 6-2 from the first leg and appeared determined to overturn the result but a combination of profligate finishing, ill luck and brilliant goalkeeping from David De Gea kept United in front.

De Gea had made a double save early on as Roma who announced former United boss Jose Mourinho as their new manager for next season roared out of the blocks.

But it was United who ended the half in front as Edinson Cavani added to his brace in the first leg with the opener six minutes before half time.

Roma hit back after the break as two goals in three minutes from Edin Dzeko and Bryan Cristante put the Italians ahead.

Cavani scored his fourth goal against Roma over the two legs to draw United level but Alex Telles deflected an effort past De Gea to restore the Italians’ lead.

Roma pushed for more and could have scored but Dzeko, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Pedro Rodriguez all saw close efforts rebound off the woodwork or thwarted by De Gea as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer finally progressed to a first final as United boss after four semifinal defeats.