Daily Star
Arsenal crashed out of the Europa League at the hands of Unai Emery’s Villarreal on Thursday evening as they failed to secure a final against Manchester United.
The Gunners look set to miss out on European qualification next season with their current Premier League position of ninth summing up their torrid domestic season.
Mikel Arteta said before the game that he didn’t want to consider what might happen should they fail to win, but his nightmare became a reality with his side failing to score.
That disappointment came after their 2-1 defeat in their first leg meeting, with Nicolas Pepe grabbing an away goal following strikes from Manu Trigueros and Raul Albiol.
Despite pressure towards the end of the fixture, the scoreline finished 0-0 with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hitting the post with his own final kick of the game.
Arteta is likely to have been plunged into pressure by the result, with their FA Cup triumph of last year looking like a very distant memory.
While a small group of fans once again gathered to protest the ownership of the club, there was very little to shout about once again on the pitch.
On BBC Radio 5 Live, Lee Dixon said of Aubameyang’s late miss: “That’s what he’s there for.
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“It’s a great ball in from Hector Bellerin with height and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s last touch in this game could’ve been the goal that sent them into the final before he’s substituted.
“He’s had the opportunity, but you’ve got to score he’s six yards out. Mikel Arteta is more disappointed than anyone – the game was right there.”
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