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Arsenal crash out of the Europa League after 0-0 draw with Villarreal as Unai Emery returns to haunt Gunners

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Arsenal’s hopes of salvaging their season in the Europa League are over after Unai Emery returned to Emirates Stadium to guide Villarreal to a 0-0 draw to send them to the final.

The Gunners were 2-1 down from the first leg of their semi-final in Spain last week and they did not do enough to save themselves on a damaging night.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit the post twice but Arsenal never really got going and went out with a whimper after two disappointing displays over the two legs.

Their Europa League exit means that, in all probability, Arsenal will not play European football next season for the first time since 1995-96.

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On one of the lowest night at Emirates Stadium in years, Mikel Arteta was left found wanting as Emery came back to haunt Arsenal.

It leaves Arteta facing questions over his future and where Arsenal go from here.

Hundreds of Arsenal fans greeted the arrival of the team coach at Emirates Stadium protests against the Kroenkes were put on hold.

But they will now resume with Arsenal at their lowest point in two decades.

Arsenal knew they needed to score on the night against Villarreal but they made hard work of it during a dreadful first half when they did not get out of first gear.

Aubameyang hit the outside of the post with a volley but Villarreal were comfortable as Arsenal failed to take the initiative.

For how bad Arsenal were in the first half, they were still in the tie at half-time and they did improve after the break as they tried to take the game to Villarreal.

Nicolas Pepe flashed a volley wide in the opening minutes of the second half and Emile Smith Rowe almost capitalised on a shaky moment from Villarreal goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli but he lifted an effort just wide.

As Arsenal committed more men forward, the game became stretched and Villarreal looked threatening on the counter.

Gerard Moreno shot straight at Bernd Leno when she might have done better.

Rob Holding twice went close with headers and Aubameyang went agonisingly close when his header hit the inside of the post with the Villarreal goalkeeper beaten and Arsenal went out.

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