Arsenal's Europa League hopes were dashed as Villarreal sealed a semi-final victory that will almost certainly end the Gunners' unbroken 25-season run of appearing in European competition.
Trailing 2-1 from the first leg in Spain and knowing that victory in this tournament represented their only realistic route back into the Champions League, Mikel Arteta's side could not find a way past the visitors' stubborn defence.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck the post with a volley but it was a rare moment of threat in a display strangely passive for large parts and crucially lacking incision.
Nicolas Pepe and Emile Smith Rowe both fired efforts wide early in the second half and Aubameyang hit the post again with a downward header later in the game but such moments were few and far between.
That the defeat came at the hands of former boss Unai Emery will be especially galling for the Gunners. Emery was sacked in November 2019 after 18 months in charge, ultimately leading to the appointment of Arteta.
With Manchester United seeing off Roma in the other semi-final and Chelsea and Manchester City into the Champions League final, Arsenal's loss ruins a Premier League clean sweep of European competitions this season.
More importantly for the Gunners, though, the result effectively ends their season and their European chances.
It is a big blow to a club who, a little over two weeks ago, were one of 12 prepared to walk away from the Champions League in order to join the proposed European Super League.
Latest Stories
-
Celestine Donkor speaks on report of undergoing weight loss surgery
7 mins -
Bright Simons: The SML defence “falls flat”
14 mins -
We need long term macroeconomic stability to build a strong and vibrant economy – Deloitte Boss
14 mins -
Adomaa Adjeman to make theatre debut as Aku Sika in Prof Martin Owusu’s epic
17 mins -
U.S. government supports Ghanaian partners to protect Intellectual Property
22 mins -
Eric Johnson
28 mins -
Tanzania denies abuse reports as World Bank halts funds
36 mins -
2024 polls: The person I defeated twice can’t succeed me – Akufo-Addo
43 mins -
NBA: Miami Heat beat Boston Celtics to even series
51 mins -
Two sentenced for stealing over 1,000 bags of rice
57 mins -
Zulu monarchy in row over king’s praise singer
1 hour -
Xavi to remain as Barcelona coach until at least June 2025
1 hour -
2Pac’s estate threatens to sue Drake over use of late rapper’s AI-generated voice
1 hour -
Yaw Nsarkoh: The President’s letter on the KPMG (SML) Report
1 hour -
Manasseh’s praise and criticism of Akufo-Addo’s action on the SML scandal
1 hour