Arsenal revive hope of winning trophy, thrash Slavia Prague to storm into Europa League last 4
- Arsenal were thoroughly dominant against Slavia Prague as they ran out 5-1 winners on aggregate
- Despite a 1-1 draw in the first leg, Mikel Arteta’s side brushed aside their opponents in the second to storm into the quarters
- Lacazette bagged a brace as Nicolas Pepe and Bukayo Saka got the other goals against the Czech Republic opponents
- Victory means Arsenal have set up a date with their former manager Unai Emery in the semi-finals
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Arsenal brushed aside Slavia Prague 4-0 to secure a ticket to the Europa League last four in what was an impressive second-leg victory away from home.
In what was expected to be a nervy night following a 1-1 draw in the first leg, the Gunners made light work of their opponent thanks to goals from Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette.
Within the first 24 minutes, the game was ended as a contest as Arsenal had already bagged three goals, including one which was disallowed early on.
It was Pepe who opened the scoring in the 18th minute as he squeezed through in the near post before Alexandre Lacazette converted a penalty three minutes later after a foul on Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal tore their Czech opponent's defence once again as Saka got in on the act in the 24th minute.
Lacazette got his second late in the game with a low shot to surely put the result beyond doubt.
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In what was arguably the Gunners’ best performance this season, a number of players stepped up the plate in the game including Emile Smith Rowe and Saka, two of Mikel Arteta’s shining young stars within the squad.
Arsenal had to come up with a win without their talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was diagnosed with malaria and had to sit out the game.
In the Gabon international’s absence, Smith Rowe was a ball of energy right at the heart of midfield and the youngster thought he had opened the scoring when he turned in the rebound from Saka’s effort in the 14th minute.
The 20-year old, who missed the Sheffield United game through an ankle injury, was certainly in the mood as he set up Pepe for the opener and was also responsible for the second goal as he set up Saka through on goal only for the youngster to be illegally chopped down by Jakub Hromada.
Victory in the quarters sets up Arsenal with a blockbuster semi-final clash with their former manager Unai Emery, whose Villareal side beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-1 on aggregate.
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that Man United have booked a place in the semi-finals of this season's Europa League.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side sailed through after seeing off Granada in the quarter-finals in a two-legged affair.
The Red Devils secured a 4-0 goal aggregate over the La Liga side, with Edinson Cavani helping them to get the job done at Old Trafford on Thursday, April 15.