Hart’s off as Clarets keep Pete
Europa success is down to understanding of best pals Lacazette and Aubameyang
on the pitch because they get along away from the spotlight.
“Now it has been a year and a half that we’ve played together,” said the ex-Lyon striker. “I knew Auba before and we talk a lot, not only about football. When you like someone, you talk a lot and of course on the pitch it is easier. Of course there is no personal competition – we just want to help the team. He can score 10 goals more than me, it is OK.” Gabon international Aubameyang (below) added: “Reaching the final is very important. It is another step for the club and a chance to qualify for the Champions League.”
French striker Lacazette claimed Arenal were motivated to reach their first European final since 2006 by their Premier League collapse.
“In the Premier League we have played badly in the last month but this was a great opportunity to get into the Champions League,” he said.
“But it is about trophies too. The club needs to win a trophy.
“We saw Liverpool and Spurs qualify for the Champions League final and were really, really happy. The English teams played really well on Tuesday and Wednesday and they deserve the qualification. We wanted to do the same.
“Getting four English teams into the final means there is a great level in England.”
Emery has reached a fourth Europa final – overtaking the record he shared with SvenGoran Eriksson and Giovanni Trapattoni – and has won 22 consecutive rounds in this competition since his Valencia lost in the 2011-12 semi-final.
Lacazette added: “The club saw him as the coach to help the team go to the next step and he has because we go to the final in his first season.” JOE HART is set to leave Burnley after just one season – but Peter Crouch will be offered a new contract to stay.
Hart, 32, who has one year left on his deal, has not played since being deposed as the Clarets No.1 by Tom Heaton at Christmas, and does not want to spend next season on the bench.
Burnley will let the former England and Manchester City keeper, who is one of their top earners, go. He is attracting interest from Norwich, France and the MLS.
Boss Sean Dyche also has England international Nick Pope and admits one of his three senior goalkeepers will probably