Unai Emery credits Arsenal after Villarreal beat Manchester United in Europa League final

Unai Emery guided Villarreal to victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final (AP)

Unai Emery has credited Arsenal for being part of his journey to win the Europa League with Villarreal.

The Spanish club edged out Manchester United in a tense penalty shootout in Gdansk on Wednesday evening.

It is now the fourth time Emery has won the Europa League in his career, while it is also the first major trophy in Villarreal’s history.

On his way to the final, Emery knocked out his former club Arsenal in the semi-finals.

During his time as Arsenal manager, Emery guided the team to another Europa League final but his side were beaten by Chelsea.

Emery was sacked six months after the defeat in that final but the Spaniard believes that setback at Arsenal has helped him develop as a coach.

Unai Emery has now won four Europa League trophies in his career (UEFA via Getty Images)

‘I believe it’s not a sporting revenge at all,’ Emery said after Villarreal’s win over United.

‘I try to enjoy every moment, winning and losing. I try to create new circumstances, so everywhere I have been, even in England at Arsenal, I have learnt a lot, met many people, other cultures and football.

‘At the end of that story was professional frustration, but some other doors opened then.

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‘Winning today is a satisfaction, but for my club today, as it was when I was at Sevilla.

‘When I was at Arsenal, we played a Europa League final and could not win but it is a process, from that game I learnt a lot to win this one maybe.’

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