Pepe loves the Europa League. He has flourished in the competition this season, starting in nine of the 13 games and only failing to feature in one match (3-2 win against Benfica). In comparison, he has started in just 13 Premier League games this term.
But more importantly - his European goal involvements have been vital. He scored or assisted in all but one group game (4-1 win against Rapid Vienna), and has found the net in his last three knockout games.
In the quarter-finals against Slavia Prague, he made an instant impact in his 12 minutes off the bench, firing Arsenal ahead in the late 1-1 draw. He went on to score and assist in the second leg, before nabbing a potentially vital away goal in Villarreal last Thursday.
In fact, Pepe has registered 10 goal involvements in the Europa League this season (6 goals, 4 assists) - more than any other player - and only three different Arsenal players have scored more goals in a single season in major European competition than Pepe (Ian Wright - 9 in 1994/95, Thierry Henry - 8 in 1999-2000, 7 in both 2001/02 and 2002/03 and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 8 in 2018/19).
There is another tasty undercurrent to this Villarreal tie too. Emery revealed in May 2020 that he had not wanted to sign Pepe while Arsenal manager, instead preferring Wilfried Zaha.
He told The Guardian: "We signed Pepe. He's a good player but we didn't know his character and he needs time, patience. I favoured someone who knew the league and wouldn't need to adapt.
"Zaha won games on his own: Tottenham, Manchester City, us. Incredible performances. I told them: 'This is the player I know and want.' I met Zaha and he wanted to come. The club decided Pepe was one for the future."
But with his impressive European performances this season, including last week at La Ceramica, Pepe will be hoping to have the last say against his former manager.
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