STUN GUNNERS
EARLY BLITZ SEES ARSENAL SWEEP SLAVIA ASIDE TO REACH EUROPA SEMIS CAVANI’S VOLLEY GOOD START MAKES SURE UNITED EASE INTO LAST FOUR TOO
ARSENAL produced a stunning performance to overwhelm Slavia Prague 4-0 and join Manchester United in the Europa League semi-finals.
While the Gunners were on top form in the Czech Republic, United sealed their passage into the last four by beating Granada 2-0 at Old Trafford.
Having been denied victory in the first leg by an injury-time equaliser at the Emirates Stadium a week ago, Mikel
Arteta’s men faced an uphill battle in Prague, with Slavia having previously knocked out Leicester and Rangers.
But Arsenal blitzed their hosts with three goals in six minutes. Emile Smith Rowe thought he had opened the scoring in the fourth minute but saw his tap-in ruled out for offside.
Fourteen minutes later, he swapped passes with Nicolas Pepe, who lashed in to give the Gunners the aggregate lead.
Alexandre Lacazette added a penalty after Bukayo Saka was brought down and Saka beat two defenders before drilling home for 3-0.
Lacazette’s lovely finish 13 minutes from time from Pepe’s pass completed a resounding victory on the road.
Arteta was without captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who revealed he contracted malaria on international duty with Gabon recently.
He said: ‘I’ve spent a few days in hospital this week but I’m already feeling much better every day.’
United, meanwhile, overcame Granada 4-0 on aggregate with Edinson Cavani and an own-goal last night setting up a tie with Roma in the last four.
Following a 5-1 overall win, Arsenal will face ex-boss Unai Emery’s Villarreal.