Unai Emery posted on social media to celebrate Villarreal’s progression to the Europa League final on Thursday, including a message to Arsenal.

Villarreal's Spanish coach Unai Emery gestures during the Spanish league football match between Real Betis and Villarreal CF at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville on December 13, 2020. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP) (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images)
Villarreal’s Spanish coach Unai Emery gestures during the Spanish league football match between Real Betis and Villarreal CF at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville on December 13, 2020. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP) (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP via Getty Images)

On Thursday night, Unai Emery returned to the Emirates Stadium for the first time since his sacking by Arsenal. He was attempting to ensure Villarreal’s qualification to the Europa League final, after a 2-1 home win in the semi-final first leg.

In a manner typical of both Emery and Mikel Arteta’s spells with Arsenal, the two teams played out a 0-0 draw with hardly any chances to ensure heartbreak for Arsenal fans.

After the match, Emery posted a message celebrating Villarreal’s progression and wishing Arsenal luck.

“A beautiful night in London,” Emery said. “We made history, yellows. Enjoy it a lot.

“But this story is not over yet. And we have to enjoy it together. Proud of the team and being a part of this great project. We dream together. Forward to Gdansk! Good luck to Arsenal for the future.”

Villarreal will now face Manchester United in the final. Rather like it was for Arsenal, winning the Europa League is their only way into next season’s Champions League, so it’s a big game for them.

Realistically, Arsenal don’t have any big games left, as there’s nothing left to play for this season. Seventh place and a spot in the new Europa Conference League is still technically possible, but it would require Liverpool and Everton to fall apart.