UNAI EMERY’S Villarreal knocked Arsenal out of the last four of the Europa League on Thursday night as the former Gunners boss reached his fifth final in the competition. 

La Liga’s Yellow Submarine sunk the Gunners 2-1 on aggregate after a goalless draw and will now face Manchester United in the showpiece final in Gdansk, Poland, at the end of the month.

The result leaves Mikel Arteta under growing pressure at an unhappy club. It followed further pre-match demonstrations at Ashburton Grove from frustrated supporters, aimed at absentee billionaire owner Stan Kroenke. 

Beleaguered manager Arteta admitted he was “devastated” after his predecessor outfoxed him, as Emery led his unprepossessing club from Spain’s Valencia region to their first showpiece final. 

“We are devastated, really disappointed,” said Arsenal’s manager, whose ninth-placed side face missing out on qualifying for European competition for the first time in a quarter of a century. 

“We know how much the Europa League meant to the club and to the fans,” he added. “It’s a huge blow. I feel the pressure all the time because I want to do as good as I can for the team.

“I think we deserved to win the game tonight but the details define these ties. We had three big chances and Villarreal didn’t have any but they are through. Today is a big disappointment because we tried everything to be in the final.”

Yes, Arsenal hit the post twice through captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. And yes, a less than match-fit Kieran Tierney was drafted in at late notice following Granit Xhaka’s injury in the warm-up. But the Gunners exited Europe with a whimper, even if Emery’s side fully deserved their triumph over two legs. 

When asked after the match if he had faith in his own ability to be successful at Arsenal, Arteta testily replied: “Yes — I wouldn’t be sitting here if I didn’t,” before proclaiming: “It’s not about talking, it’s about showing it on the pitch.”

However, Arteta was sanguine about his future at the club, adding: “I think everybody’s job is always under scrutiny.” 

During his post-match inquest, Arteta also blamed a raft of injuries and inexperience for the defeat. 

The Spanish minnows were ably marshalled by Emery in a fluid 4-3-3 formation that switched to a solid 4-5-1 when out of possession, albeit all at a fraction of the budget that the Arsenal boss has had at his disposal. 

“For 90 per cent of my players it was the first semi-final in any competition,” Arteta underlined. “They have to learn from that. I think we were very imprecise with the ball in the first half and probably a bit tense as well. In the second half we were much more dominant.”

Emery, a man who always remained a gentlemanly figure throughout his challenging tenure in north London despite having the unenviable task of following long-serving Arsene Wenger as boss, said modestly afterwards: “I think we deserved it.”

Sacked by Arsenal in November 2019, he cut a dignified presence during his side’s understandably raucous post-match celebrations after the final whistle. “I’m very proud of my team,” he added humbly.