Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal: 5 hits and flops as Yellow Submarine enter their first-ever European final | UEFA Europa League 2020-21

Arsenal held Villarreal at the Emirates but lost out 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals of the Europa League.

The Yellow Submarine face Manchester United in the final in Gdansk on 26th May.

The Gunners were once again utterly disappointing and couldn't even manage to find that one elusive goal that would've been enough to send them through.

Despite possessing a lion's share of the ball (56% to 44%), Mikel Arteta's side struggled to break down their Spanish rivals, although Emile Smith-Rowe and Rob Holding came really close, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang headed an effort against the bar.

Villarreal had their moments at the other end too but Bernd Leno made some vital saves to prevent them from extending their aggregate lead. However, it wasn't enough to keep the visitors from advancing into the showpiece clash.

Here are the hits and flops from the match:

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Flop: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)

Aubameyang had three shots on target but was underwhelming overall

He's not been at his absolute best this season. Tonight's game perfectly summed that up as the Gabonese striker produced another stinker in Arsenal's most important fixture of the season, cutting an anonymous figure in the attack.

Aubameyang was isolated upfront for most of the game and didn't make an effort to help in the build-up. His only notable moment from the game was a glancing header in the 79th minute, which came off the post and caused a nervy moment in the Villarreal box.

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Hit: Raul Albiol (Villarreal)

Albiol quietly put up another strong performance against Arsenal

The veteran player stepped up to the plate for the Yellow Submarine tonight, bringing his wealth of experience and leadership qualities to the fore. He was the most vocal player on the field for his side.

His best contribution on the night was clearing a loose ball inside the box from Aubameyang's header, turning up in the right place at the right time to avert a possible danger.

Flop: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

Saka was nowhere near his best tonight

On a night where Arsenal's striker was once again below par, the wingers had to step up and provide moments of quality. But that didn't happen either, not least of all from Bukayo Saka, whose record now stands at just one goal and zero assists from the last 11 games in all competitions for the Gunners.

Despite playing the entirety of the match, the 19-year old managed just three crosses and two key passes, while not making a single effort on target. It was another bogstandard performance by Saka on a night where a little more clinicality in the final third could've done the job for them.

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Hit: Unai Emery (Villarreal)

Emery guides Villarreal to their first-ever European final just 10 months after taking over the reigns

A special mention for Villarreal boss Unai Emery, who scored one over his former side and entered his fifth Europa League final, more than any manager in the competition's history. It's truly something special and the Spaniard deserves every ounce of plaudits coming his way.

He might not have succeeded at the elite level with Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal, but there's little doubting his tactical acumen that came to the fore over both legs of this semi-final tie. Time to put some respect next to his name if it wasn't there already.

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Flop: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)

Odegaard didn't offer much in the midfield

An important reason for Arsenal's inability to grab the game by the scruff of the neck despite enjoying a lion's share of possession was their limp midfield. It was summarized well by Martin Odegaard, who struggled to get into the game all night.

Although his first-touches were promising, the Norwegian was sloppy in possession and made a few wrong decisions on the ball, struggling to hold his own once again in a big game.