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Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a header duel with Villarreal's Francis Coquelin
Photo: Alastair Grant / dpa
Villarreal FC prevailed against Arsenal FC in the semi-finals of the Europa League.
After a 2-1 (2-0) home success in the first leg, the Spaniards 0-0 at the Gunners was enough to move into the final.
Manchester United is waiting there on May 26th, and they beat AS Roma in the second semi-final.
When Villarreal coach and ex-Arsenal coach Unai Emery returned to the Emirates Stadium, a 1-0 would have been enough for the Londoners to advance.
Arsenal FC, who had to do without midfielder Granit Xhaka after an injury while warming up, initially acted cautiously: Both teams let the ball run well, but did not play with the last risk forward.
It therefore took a while until the first dangerous degrees.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who came on late in the first leg after suffering from malaria, hit the outside post with a direct pickup (26th).
Shortly before the break, Aubameyangs caused problems for Villarreal's goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli: The Argentine let the ball slip through his legs while trying to catch it, but got hold of it in front of the goal line (39th).
Arsenal's pressure phase remains a flash in the pan
After the break, Arsenal's attacks seemed to be more consistent: A volley shot by Nicolas Pépé (47th) went just as narrowly past the Spaniard's goal as the lob Emile Smith Rowes (49th) after Rulli failed to catch a cross.
However, the double chance was followed by a long lull.
Although Villarreal rarely played their own relief attacks to the end, they kept the hosts away from their own goal for long periods of the second half.
Rob Holding approached with a header again (74.), before Aubameyang missed the greatest chance for the winning goal after Hector Bellerin's cross at the second post and this time failed at the inside post (79.).
For Villarreal coach Emery it is the fifth participation in a Europa League final.
With Sevilla FC, the Spaniard won the competition three times between 2014 and 2016, with Arsenal FC Emery lost to Chelsea FC in the 2019 final.
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