Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal’s worst Europa League exits – ranked

By James Cormack

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 06: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal looks dejected following the UEFA Europa League Semi-final Second Leg match between Arsenal and Villareal CF at Emirates Stadium on May 06, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 06: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal looks dejected following the UEFA Europa League Semi-final Second Leg match between Arsenal and Villareal CF at Emirates Stadium on May 06, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next

3. Semi-finals vs Villarreal (2020/21)

Unai Emery masterminded a two-legged triumph over his former club to advance into the final. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Unai Emery masterminded a two-legged triumph over his former club to advance into the final. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Succumbing to Unai Emery was a bitter pill to swallow, but the former Arsenal boss is a master of the Europa League and he outwitted his former employers in the 2020/21 semi-finals.

The tie started disastrously for Arteta’s men as Villarreal raced into a 2-0 lead before Dani Ceballos was sent off before the hour. However, Nicolas Pepe’s penalty offered the visitors a glimmer of hope heading into the return leg in north London.

In front of an empty Emirates, Emery stifled the home side and limited the Gunners to one shot on target. Arsenal were flat and lifeless; exiting the competition with a whimper.

The Europa League was the Gunners’ saving grace in an otherwise miserable 2020/21 season, and the manner of their exit was bitterly frustrating. They barely laid a glove on the Yellow Submarine, who beat Man Utd in the final on penalties.

Continued on the next slide…

Home/Arsenal All-Time Lists