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

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.

---

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.

Villarreal have reached the final of a major European cup for the first time in the club's history.Unai Emery gets one over his former side. #UEL pic.twitter.com/R0xgwJ27QK

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 6, 2021

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.

---

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.

Martin Odegaard hardly touched the ball that half. Neither did Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. #Arsenal need some sort of interplay, movement, creativity to free guys up. It’s all static and predictable.

— The Anti-Abuse Fuse (@TheShortFuse) May 6, 2021

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.