UNAI EMERY’S Villarreal have knocked out Arsenal out of the Europa League with a 0-0 draw at the Emirates.
The La Liga side go through after winning the first leg 2-1, and the Gunners will now end this season trophyless.
Before the match, Arsenal fans staged a protest over their ownership outside the Emirates Stadium.
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THAT’S ALL FROM LONDON
Arsenal were eliminated from the Europa League after drawing 0-0 with Villarreal at the Emirates.
Last week’s 2-1 loss in Spain means the Yellow Submarine will be the ones to advance to the final where they will face Manchester United on May 26 in Gdansk.
The Gunners had various chances of scoring that all important goal with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hitting the post twice.
Aubameyang missed in the first half when his shot from the outside of his right foot rattled Geronimo Rulli’s right-hand post.
The star striker then hit Rulli’s post again with a header in the second half while Nicolas Pepe and Emile Smith Rowe also missed some big chances.
Arsenal won’t be playing in the Champions League next season and are facing an uphill road in their bid to avoid being left out of Europe for the first time in 25 years.
That’s all from us here in London, have a lovely night!
GETTY IMAGES EMERY REACTS
Villarreal boss Unai Emery praised his players and although he admits Manchester United will be a tough opponent he insists the Yellow Submarine are enjoying this moment.
Emery told BT Sport: “We made a very serious match defensively and I think the first leg in Villarreal was very important.
“Today we worked very well and we defended very well and with the possession we controlled the match.
“I know it’s going to be very difficult but today we are enjoying this moment and then we are going to prepare for the match against Manchester United.
“I think it’s going to be very difficult as well but we are going to show our supporters our best performances again”
MORE FROM ARTETA
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is not daunted by the possibilities of losing his job and insists he is still confident he can turn things around for the Gunners.
Arteta added: “We have to when have the chances we have to put the ball in the net. This is the other motive why we are not through.
“I think everybody’s job is always in scrutiny. I wouldn’t be sitting here if I didn’t [believe he can pick the team up].
“You will see it. It’s not about talking it’s about showing it on that pitch”
GETTY IMAGES
ARTETA REACTS
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted the team is “devastated” after their Europa League elimination and that he always feels like his job is under pressure.
Arteta told BT Sport: “Yeah, we are devastated really disappointed but we have to congratulate Villarreal. I think over two legs and what happened today in the second half, we deserved to win the game.
“I think we were very imprecise with the ball. Probably we were a bit tense as well. In the second half I think we were much more dominant and created enough chances.
“The way we started in Villarreal it wasn’t good enough. Set pieces. We didn’t arrive here at the best moment with everybody to give their best like we did last year in semi-finals and finals.
“I feel the pressure all the time because I want to do as good as I can for the team. Today is a big disappointment because we tried everything to be in the final”
BAD YEAR
This season will undoubtedly go down as one of Arsenal’s all-time worst.
No trophies, no Champions League football, and probably, no Europe at all next year.
Plus, majority shareholder Stan Kroenke raised tensions when he got involved in the failed European Super League project.
But here’s another reason why this poor campaign stands out:
NEXT MANAGER?
Arsenal’s Europa League elimination means no Champions League next season.
Recent reports suggested that manager Mikel Arteta won’t be sacked no matter what and that the hierarchy will invest in the summer.
However, tonight’s result could raise a few questions regarding the future in the dugout
Here’s who Betfair believe could become the next Arsenal boss:
- Massimiliano Allegri – 13/5
- Brendan Rodgers – 3/1
- Thomas Tuchel – 3/1
- Rafa Benitez – 10/1
- Patrick Vieira – 10/1
- Diego Simeone – 10/1
- Eddie Howe – 11/1
- Ralph Hasenhuttl – 11/1
- Gian Piero Gasperini – 14/1
- Paulo Fonseca – 14/1
GETTY IMAGES MER-ICLE MAN
Villarreal boss Unai Emery has progressed from each of his five European semi-finals.
One of them saw Emery making it to the 2019 Europa League final with Arsenal.
The other three occurred with Sevilla when he went on to win the title three years in a row.
A strong message to the Gunners that offloaded him unceremoniously two years ago
WHAT’S NEXT?
Arsenal are out of Europe and based on how things stand they will not play in next season’s Champions League.
The Gunners’ position in the Premier League (ninth) also raises questions as to whether they can make it to next year’s Europa League as well.
The north Londoners are five points away from seventh place, which usually leads to Europe.
As for Villarreal, they will face Manchester United in the Europa League final on May 26 in Gdansk
GETTY IMAGES STATS
Arsenal dominated 55.7 per cent of possession but that didn’t help them in their quest to reach the Europa League final.
The Gunners also registered a total of 14 shots but only two of them were on target.
Villarreal, on the other hand, recorded eight shots, three of which forced a save from Bernd Leno.
We expected an intense encounter, considering what was on the line, but at the end there were only two yellow cards, one for each team
FT: ARSENAL 0-0 VILLARREAL
Arsenal were eliminated from the Europa League by Villarreal and the manager they offloaded two years ago Unai Emery following a goalless draw at the Emirates.
The Yellow Submarine went through to the final thanks to their 2-1 victory at the Estadio de la Ceramica last week.
The Gunners had plenty of chances to score that season-saving goal in both halves.
However, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit the post twice, once in the first half when a shot from the outside of his right foot hit Geronimo Rulli’s right-hand post and then in the second half when his header rattled the sticks again.
Nicolas Pepe also came close in the second half as did Emile Smith Rowe but the performance wasn’t really there and the Yellow Submarine’s patient as well as clever tactics were too much for the hosts
GETTY IMAGES PEEEEEEEEEEEP!
AND THAT’S IT AT THE EMIRATES!!!!!
ARSENAL 0-0 VILLARREAL
90+4 Last minute of the match!
Arsenal have a goal-kick
ARSENAL 0-0 VILLARREAL
90+2 YELLOW CARD
Nketiah gets booked on his first involvement of the match.
Time is running out!
ARSENAL 0-0 VILLARREAL
90 SUBSTITUTION
Nketiah also replaced Bellerin earlier on
ARSENAL 0-0 VILLARREAL
90 FIVE more minutes to go!
Plenty of time for Arsenal but how much energy do they have left?
ARSENAL 0-0 VILLARREAL
90 SUBSTITUTION
Villarreal manager Emery makes a double change to milk the last few minutes of the match.
Pedraza makes way for Alberto Moreno and Pino comes off for Gomez
ARSENAL 0-0 VILLARREAL
89 CHANCE
Pepe finds Bellerin inside the box but his shot is blocked by a wonderful Villarreal defence!
Nothing comes off the corner
ARSENAL 0-0 VILLARREAL
88 CHANCE
Bellerin tries a shot from the edge of the box but it’s blocked by Villarreal’s defence.
A ball then goes through but just misses Martinelli inside the box….
Arsenal are pushing for that important goal!
ARSENAL 0-0 VILLARREAL
87 YELLOW CARD
Villarreal ace Pino becomes the first player to be booked in the match because of dissent.
The visitors are milking as much time as possible after every challenge
ARSENAL 0-0 VILLARREAL
87 What do Arsenal have to do to score?!
Arteta’s men are in dire need of that goal that will save the season
GETTY IMAGES ARSENAL 0-0 VILLARREAL
85 A moment of mix-up for Villarreal’s backline!
Torres heads the ball out for a corner-kick before Rulli can punch it away, seems like even his defenders don’t trust his clearances.
Nothing comes off the corner
ARSENAL 0-0 VILLARREAL
84 Arsenal are still dominating possession but Villarreal are showing so much European nous.
Very good positioning and the right kind of marking are keeping the Gunners out of the final
ARSENAL 0-0 VILLARREAL
81 Lacazette calls for a penalty after tussling with Albiol but the official is having none of it.
Frustration is building up for Arsenal
ARSENAL 0-0 VILLARREAL
80 SUBSTITUTION
Double change for Arsenal as Arteta takesintroduces Lacazette and SWillian, who replace Aubameyang and Tierney respectively
ARSENAL 0-0 VILLARREAL
78 WHAT A CHANCE!
How did Arsenal not score there?!
Bellerin delivers a wonderful cross from the right flank and finds Aubameyang who jumps higher than everyone and gets the header that hits Rulli’s right-hand post!
What do the Gunners have to do to score?!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
