The proposition of two all English European finals this season is over after Arsenal failed to beat Villarreal, despite Manchester United’s 8-5 aggregate win over AS Roma.
The 0-0 home draw in their second leg semi-final left the Gunners out of Europe for the first time in 25 years, as former Arsenal manager and current Villarreal boss Unai Emery defeated his replacement Mikel Arteta, taking The Yellow Submarines to their first European final.
United lost 3-2 last night, but after their first leg heroics the aggregate gap was too much for The Giallorossi to overcome and has provided Ole Gunnar Solskjær a great opportunity to win his first trophy in charge of his former team.
Arsenal only managed one shot on target and failed to really challenge Villarreal keeper Gerónimo Rulli throughout the 90 minutes, despite only needing a 1-0 win to send them through on away goals.
An Edinson Cavani brace meant the Uruguayan scored four goals across the two semi final legs, but goals from former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko and Italian Bryan Cristante levelled the game up until an Alex Telles own goal gave the away side a consolation win.
The Europa League final will take place in Gdańsk, Poland on Wednesday, 26 May where as in the Champions League, Chelsea will face Manchester City on Saturday, 29 May, meaning both Manchester clubs could have European gold at the end of the season.
Arteta spoke to BT Sport after the game saying, “we tried everything until the last minute.”
“We are devastated. Really disappointed,” added the Spaniard.
The Gunners sit 9th in the Premier League and will be unable to qualify for the Europa League next season.
Solskjær was upbeat despite United’s loss yesterday.
“It could easily have been 8-6 to them. It was a strange game. We kept giving them the ball but luckily we have one of the the best keepers in the world. We are in the final and are looking forward to 26 May.”
Both teams play this weekend in the Premier League with Manchester United travel to Aston Villa on Sunday, where as Arsenal host relegation fighting West Bromwich Albion later that evening.