Riquelme hopeful as duo return

Juan Roman Riquelme has raised the stakes ahead of the clash with Arsenal on Tuesday.

Juan Roman Riquelme believes Villarreal have every chance of overturning a 1-0 semi-final first leg deficit against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League.

The Argentine playmaker has outlined the task facing his side at El Madrigal on Tuesday and hinted that his side's disciplined approach may make for a tight second leg.

If The Yellow Submarines require any extra motivation ahead of the clash with The Gunners then Riquelme has reminded his team-mates that no accolades will be handed out to gallant losers.

"If we don't reach the final in Paris, nobody will remember what we did because the supporters only remember the champions. So our intention is to pass this stage, get to the final and then win it," said Riquelme.

"We have a very difficult match so I don't think that we will see a good game because there are too many important things to be decided.

"We have to do our work correctly because that is the only way that we will have a chance to play in the final.

"Arsenal is a very difficult team. They have a way of playing in which they defend theirselves with nine players and attack only with Henry and that is enough for them because when he has the ball at his feet he can win a match on his own.

"I am very happy for having the chance of being in such an important match. We have a good team and we believe that we are capable of turning over the result. I wish to help my team to score more than one goal and I am sure that we will have several chances for that."

The hosts' confidence is buoyed by the return of two key players.

Defender Juan Manuel Pena and striker Jose Mari should both be fit to feature.

Pena missed the Highbury clash through injury while Jose Mari sustained an injury in the first half of the defeat in North London.

Captain Quique Alvarez should also play while coach Manuel Pellegrini is still deciding whether to start Sebastian Viera or Mariano Barbosa in goal.