Villarreal is set to face Manchester United in the Europa League final after the Spanish side held out for a 0-0 draw at Arsenal on Thursday to prevent a clean sweep of European finalists for Premier League sides.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang twice hit the post for Arsenal, but a 2-1 aggregate defeat means the Gunners will miss out on Champions League football for the fifth consecutive season.
Edinson Cavani scored twice for United, who progressed 8-5 on aggregate despite a 3-2 defeat away to Roma.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men will aim to end a four-year trophy drought when they take on Villarreal in Gdansk on May 26, three days before Manchester City face Chelsea in the Champions League final on May 29.
Sitting ninth in the Premier League, Arsenal’s season was hinging on Europa League glory for Champions League qualification.
However, former Gunners’ boss, Unai Emery got revenge for his sacking after just 18 months as Arsene Wenger’s successor by leading Villarreal to their first European final.
Emery won this competition three times with Sevilla and also took Arsenal to the Europa League final in his only full season in charge at the Emirates.
The Spaniard was criticised for his cautious approach after taking a 2-0 lead inside the first-half in the first leg, allowing Arsenal back into the tie through Nicolas Pepe’s penalty
However, the Yellow Submarine (Villarreal) did not sit on their lead as they controlled the first-half without scoring the vital away goal.
Dani Parejo’s free-kick that dipped onto the roof of the net was Villarreal’s most dangerous effort.
However, it was Arsenal who came closest to scoring before the break when Aubameyang’s strike with the outside of his right foot came back off the post.
Arsenal started the second period with far greater intent and wasted two huge chances to edge ahead on away goals.
Firstly, Pepe dragged his shot wide from Kieran Tierney’s inventive flick before Emile Smith Rowe also failed to hit the target with the goal gaping as Geronimo Rulli flapped at a cross.
As the home side’s desperation grew, though, more space opened up for Villarreal to exploit on the counter-attack.
Spanish international, Gerard Moreno should have done better when he fired too close to Bernd Leno.
Aubameyang has had a difficult season since signing a bumper three-year contract in September that reportedly made him the highest paid player in the Premier League.
However, the Arsenal captain was inches away from proving his worth as his header came back off the inside of the post and bounced to safety 10 minutes from time.
Mikel Arteta’s decision to remove Aubameyang moments later will be questioned as the home side rarely threatened in the closing stages to end their season with a whimper.
– Cavani fires United into final –
At the fifth time of asking, United have won a semi-final under Solskjaer despite defeat on the night in Rome.
Already holding a commanding 6-2 lead from the first leg, Cavani blasted home his third goal of the tie six minutes before half-time.
Edin Dzeko and Bryan Cristante hit back early in the second-half for the Italian giants, who announced earlier this week that former United boss, Jose Mourinho will replace Paulo Fonseca next season.
Cavani struck again for his seventh goal in six games to level 22 minutes from time.
Nicola Zalewski’s deflected strike salvaged some pride for Roma, but it is United who march onto Poland.
Via AFP.
