• ARSENAL PLAYER RATINGS: Bernd Leno, 6 – Quite possibly the quietest performance a goalkeeper has had to produce at this stage of a competitive for a long time. One punched intervention, and that was all he had to produce. Getty Images
    ARSENAL PLAYER RATINGS: Bernd Leno, 6 – Quite possibly the quietest performance a goalkeeper has had to produce at this stage of a competitive for a long time. One punched intervention, and that was all he had to produce. Getty Images
  • Calum Chambers, 7 – A few storming runs down the right to support Arsenal attacks with some well-placed crosses to match, but he wasn’t called upon defensively as the Gunners breezed through. AP
    Calum Chambers, 7 – A few storming runs down the right to support Arsenal attacks with some well-placed crosses to match, but he wasn’t called upon defensively as the Gunners breezed through. AP
  • Rob Holding, 7 - A couple of early interventions as the hosts threatened to build momentum only to abruptly fizzle out. He had very little to do, but when he did, he did it well to help his side record a deserved shutout on their travels. AP
    Rob Holding, 7 - A couple of early interventions as the hosts threatened to build momentum only to abruptly fizzle out. He had very little to do, but when he did, he did it well to help his side record a deserved shutout on their travels. AP
  • Pablo Mari, 7 - An easy night’s work for the 27-year-old who was untroubled, but still showed signs of a promising partnership with Holding alongside him and that will be a welcome sight for Arsenal supporters. PA
    Pablo Mari, 7 - An easy night’s work for the 27-year-old who was untroubled, but still showed signs of a promising partnership with Holding alongside him and that will be a welcome sight for Arsenal supporters. PA
  • Granit Xhaka, 6 – The makeshift left-back seems to have learned to channel his aggression in a much more constructive way and he produced another assured night’s work at the back. Reuters
    Granit Xhaka, 6 – The makeshift left-back seems to have learned to channel his aggression in a much more constructive way and he produced another assured night’s work at the back. Reuters
  • Dani Ceballos, 6 - Took a tumble after a coming together with Peter Olayinka who was unhappy with the Spaniard’s attempt to throw the ball away. That was about as exciting as his night got as he produced a steady performance in the middle of the park. Getty Images
    Dani Ceballos, 6 - Took a tumble after a coming together with Peter Olayinka who was unhappy with the Spaniard’s attempt to throw the ball away. That was about as exciting as his night got as he produced a steady performance in the middle of the park. Getty Images
  • Thomas Partey, 8 - Far from glamorous, but he was effective in breaking up the play on the rare occasion that the hosts sensed the opportunity to break, including a brilliant block inside his own penalty area just after the restart. AP
    Thomas Partey, 8 - Far from glamorous, but he was effective in breaking up the play on the rare occasion that the hosts sensed the opportunity to break, including a brilliant block inside his own penalty area just after the restart. AP
  • Bukayo Saka, 9 - A stunning performance from Saka who grabbed himself one goal and had a hand in another. He could have had two, but his thumping drive on the charge rattled the post. With Emile Smith Rowe also really starting to come into his own the future looks bright for Arsenal’s youngsters. EPA
    Bukayo Saka, 9 - A stunning performance from Saka who grabbed himself one goal and had a hand in another. He could have had two, but his thumping drive on the charge rattled the post. With Emile Smith Rowe also really starting to come into his own the future looks bright for Arsenal’s youngsters. EPA
  • Emile Smith Rowe, 8 - Another impressive performance from the talented midfielder who played a big role in Arsenal’s early dominance before making way in the second half having registered an excellent 67 minutes on his return. EPA
    Emile Smith Rowe, 8 - Another impressive performance from the talented midfielder who played a big role in Arsenal’s early dominance before making way in the second half having registered an excellent 67 minutes on his return. EPA
  • Nicolas Pepe, 9 - If Saka was electric on one flank Pepe was equally brilliant on the other and his blistering pace was simply too much for Slavia to handle. This was one of his best displays in an Arsenal shirt and he was excellent value for his goal. EPA
    Nicolas Pepe, 9 - If Saka was electric on one flank Pepe was equally brilliant on the other and his blistering pace was simply too much for Slavia to handle. This was one of his best displays in an Arsenal shirt and he was excellent value for his goal. EPA
  • Alexandre Lacazette, 9 – The forward led the line superbly throughout and helped himself to a classy brace to take his tally to seven in his last nine games, including a penalty that he calmly tucked away to send Arsenal on their way. 17 goals in just 38 games now this season for the formidable Frenchman. EPA
    Alexandre Lacazette, 9 – The forward led the line superbly throughout and helped himself to a classy brace to take his tally to seven in his last nine games, including a penalty that he calmly tucked away to send Arsenal on their way. 17 goals in just 38 games now this season for the formidable Frenchman. EPA
  • Mohamed Elneny, 6 - Brought on for Smith Rowe in the 67th minute after a tireless display on the midfielder’s return. EPA
    Mohamed Elneny, 6 - Brought on for Smith Rowe in the 67th minute after a tireless display on the midfielder’s return. EPA
  • Cedric Soares, NR - Replaced Partey with Mikel Arteta opting to protect the visitors’ clean sheet. Reuters
    Cedric Soares, NR - Replaced Partey with Mikel Arteta opting to protect the visitors’ clean sheet. Reuters
  • Eddie Nketiah, NR - Replaced the breathless Saka. He had little impact on proceedings but his fresh legs helped to see his side over the line. AFP
    Eddie Nketiah, NR - Replaced the breathless Saka. He had little impact on proceedings but his fresh legs helped to see his side over the line. AFP
  • Gabriel Martinelli, NR - Produced a storming run but he couldn’t find the finish he deserved as he placed just wide having glided effortlessly past his man. Reuters
    Gabriel Martinelli, NR - Produced a storming run but he couldn’t find the finish he deserved as he placed just wide having glided effortlessly past his man. Reuters
  • Folarin Balogun, NR - No time at all to make an impact, but the young striker won’t grumble. Reuters
    Folarin Balogun, NR - No time at all to make an impact, but the young striker won’t grumble. Reuters

Football

Arsenal player ratings v Slavia Prague: Bukayo Saka, Nicolas Pepe and Alexandre Lacazette all get 9 in Europa League rout

Premier League club claim 4-0 win in Prague to advance to the semi-finals 5-1 on aggregate

Liam Wheeler

April 16, 2021

  • English
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Arsenal cruised past Slavia Prague 4-0 to book a Europa League semi-final spot on Thursday with three quick-fire goals in seven first-half minutes to advance 5-1 on aggregate.

Alexandre Lacazette struck twice, including a penalty, while Nicolas Pepe and Bukayo Saka also found the net in the quarter-final second leg to set up a last-four clash with Villarreal.

Arsenal, who were surprisingly held to a 1-1 home draw by the Czech champions, signalled their intent from the start as they pressed forward to create chances while Slavia struggled to move the ball out of their own half.

The visitors opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Pepe drove a shot home after a pass from Emile Smith-Rowe, who had a goal disallowed for offside minutes earlier after a VAR review.

Lacazette then coolly slotted home a spot-kick in the 21st minute Czech midfielder had bundled over Saka. Arsenal struck again three minutes later when Saka cut inside his defender and fired a low shot past keeper Ondrej Kolar.

Lacazette netted his second of the night in the 77th minute when he latched onto Pepe's cross before jinking away from two defenders to create some space to beat the Czech keeper.

Arsenal, who ended Slavia's 21-match unbeaten streak at home in all competitions this season, face their former manager Unai Emery's Villarreal in the semi-finals.

Looking at the performances in Prague, Liam Wheeler has provided his Arsenal player ratings in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

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