Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze has been named in the Europa League team of the week released by UEFA, the governing body for football in Europe following the Villarreal star’s inspiring performance in his club’s 2-1 defeat of Arsenal in the first leg of their semi final tie in Spain Thursday night.
Chukwueze was named in a four-man midfield comprising himself, Manchester United duo of Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes who were majestic in the 6-2 pounding of hapless AS Roma at Old Trafford on the night and Arsenal scorer at the Estadio de la Cerámica, Nicolas Pépé.
Pogba got the highest rating among the four midfielders with Chukwueze second.
The game was the Nigerian’s ninth start in 10 Europa League games this term and he has scored once (in a 1-0 win away at Sivasspor last December) and bagged four assists including the one against the Gunners for the Yellow Submarine’s first goal of the game.
Overall, the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner has featured 19 times in the competition across two seasons and has scored twice and provided five assists.
Villarreal boss Unai Emery will be counting on his Nigerian import to provide the spark to shock Arsenal out of the tie next Thursday at the Emirates stadium to set up a potential final game against Manchester United.
Others who made the cut are Arsenal goalie, Bernd Leno who have three Manchester United defenders, Aaron Wan-Bissaka,Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw plus Villarreal’s Raúl Albiol as his four-man defence team.
Manchester United forward, Edinson Cavani who scored twice and provided two assists in the demolition of AS Roma and former Manchester City forward, Edin Džeko who scored his 20th goal in the competition in Roma’s semi-final meeting with Manchester United complete the two-man attack in a 4-4-2 formation.