Arsenal player ratings vs Slavia Prague: Lacazette double in 4-0 rout

Arsenal obliterated Slavia Prague on Thursday night in their Europa League quarter-final second leg at the Sinobo Stadium, with goals from Nicolas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazette and Bukayo Saka sealing a 4-0 win and progression to the Europa League semi-finals.

After a confidence boosting win over Sheffield United last time out, Mikel Arteta had mixed news on the absentee front with Emile Smith Rowe fit to play but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Martin Odegaard unavailable.

Arteta used the same system as at Bramall Lane with Granit Xhaka at left-back as Arsenal got their bearings early on then tore apart a beleaguered Slavia Prague.

Emile Smith Rowe thought he’d netted the opener after Bukayo Saka’s curling effort struck the post and fell into his path, with a lengthy VAR review ruling him out for offside. Believing it may become one of those nights, Arsenal kept their foot firmly on the pedal and got a deserved opener.

Arsenal player ratings vs Slavia Prague for Europa League quarter-final second leg on Thursday as Saka, Pepe and Lacazette score in 4-0 win

Some majestic footwork from Smith Rowe fed in Nicolas Pepe who showed immense composure to finish high into the net from close range. Within a blink of an eye it was two as Saka was hauled down in the penalty area, with Mr. Cool Alexandre Lacazette making no mistake.

Dreamland then turned to fantasyland three minutes later as Saka drove with the ball before unleashing a lovely daisy-cutter into the bottom corner. Just 24 minutes on the clock.

In total command of the game from thereon in, Slavia made four changes at the break but their spirits were already broken. Arsenal didn’t have to chase, or force anything of note, and they coasted their way to victory from the 24th minute onwards with Lacazette adding a fourth from Pepe’s cross.

That’s it. Arsenal vs Villarreal. Mikel Arteta vs Unai Emery. It’s going to be tasty.

Arsenal Goalkeeper & Defenders Ratings

Bernd Leno (GK) – 7/10 – Some of his kicking was somewhat dodgy while other times precise, and the German had precious little to do as Arsenal utterly dominated their opponents.

Calum Chambers (RB) – 8/10 – Calberto Chalos. Calphonso Davies. Whatever you want to call him, Chambers was magnificent on the right side with delicate footwork combined with some excellent distribution and defensive positioning. Performances like this one take him off the summer sale list.

Rob Holding (CB) – 8/10 – Don’t mess with Rob Holding, he will laugh in your face. There were a couple of loose passes early from Holding but they are not a scratch on the solidity he brought to the heart of defence alongside Mari. Pushed slightly further forward than the Spaniard as Arsenal adopted a defensive triangle, he linked well with Chambers on the right side.

If you’re in a battle, you want Holding by your side.

Pablo Mari (CB) – 8/10 – The Spaniard has likely cemented his place in the Europa League starting lineup for the rest of the season now off the back of two excellent outings. Offering a composure that Gabriel can lack, sitting as the deepest central defender he can let his calmness on the ball pick out a teammate and avoid being caught out in behind.

Granit Xhaka (LB) – 8/10 – Used in a genius way to help Arsenal build from the back without Kieran Tierney, the professionalism of Xhaka and the tactical invention from Mikel Arteta both need praising. He adds a security on the ball that few others in the squad can.