Villarreal defeated Arsenal 2-1 thanks to a pair of first-half goals in the first leg of their Europa League semifinals matchup.
Manu Trigueros and Raul Albiol gave the Spanish hosts the upper hand in a match that saw the Gunners lose Dani Ceballos in the second half due to two yellow cards.
Just five minutes into the game, Trigueros pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the Arsenal box and unfurled a shot into the far post past keeper Bernd Leno.
El Submarino Amarillo, led by former Arsenal boss Unai Emery, doubled their lead in the 29th minute when Raul Albiol buried a shot into the net off a corner kick.
Arsenal’s frustration continued when VAR overruled a potential penalty just minutes later due to Pepe’s handball in the buildup of the play.
Mikel Arteta’s side when down to 10 men in the 57th minute when Ceballos fouled Dani Parejo to get his second yellow card on the night.
Arsenal were able to pull a crucial away goal back in the 73rd minute when Trigueros fouled Bukayo Saka inside the penalty box, with Pepe converting from the spot.
Villarreal also had a man sent off with 10 minutes left when Etienne Capoue was given his second yellow on the night.
The second leg will be played next week at the Emirates.
