Chukwueze wants Europa trophy as birthday present, not scared of Arsenal, praises Emery

SUPER Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze is hoping to celebrate his 22nd birthday with the UEFA Europa League trophy.

The Villarreal star will turn 22 on 22 May, just fours day before the Europa League final in Gdansk, Poland.

Chukwueze and his Villarreal teammates will reach that final if they overcome Arsenal in the semi-finals, with the first leg coming up on Thursday night.

“I’d like you to tell me that I am going to win the Europa League, just tell me that! I want to win the UEFA Europa League, thanks!” he said when asked what present he would like for his birthday during a LiveScore event.
When Chukwueze was asked who he thought was the most talented player he has seen during his time with Villarreal, he said: “It has to be Santi Cazorla, he is a fantastic player who can play so well with both feet. He is special and very very talented.”

Villarreal are handled by former Arsenal manager Unai Emery who has previously won the Europa League with Sevilla, and Chukwueze rates the Spaniard highly.

The Nigeria international noted: “I enjoy playing under Emery. He’s amazing, and so tactical in everything he does.

“He can push you to the limit, but he is a fantastic coach. He has an amazing football brain.
“He has amazed me how I have seen him change things from game to game.

“Sometimes when I watch him from the bench, I have looked at him and noticed changes he makes which work for him that are great to see. He is so good at his job and is a fantastic coach.”

On the likely threats Arsenal will pose, Chukwueze said: “When the time comes, it will be up to the coach and the tactics he chooses – all I need to do is just enter the field using the skills I have practiced and give everything I have.

“We are going to play our football as normal. We are not scared or anything, we are just going to play our football as a team.”

The Nigerian star is in impressive form at the moment, scoring three goals and making two assists in his last five appearances across all competitions, and getting nominated for the LaLiga Player of the Month award for April.