Arteta hails young guns as Arsenal reach semis

Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Slavia Prague during the Europa League quarter-final in Prague. (Reuters)

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praised Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka after the youngsters blooded by his predecessor Unai Emery helped set up a Europa League semi-final between the two managers. Saka, 19, scored and 20-year-old Smith Rowe was a commanding presence in midfield as the Gunners beat Slavia Prague 4-0 on Thursday — 5-1 on aggregate — to reach the last four for the third time in four years. There they will meet Villarreal, managed by Emery, who won the trophy three years in a row from 2014 when he was in charge of Sevilla and also took Arsenal to the 2019 final. Winning the Europa League could be Arsenal’s ticket back into Europe as they are struggling in mid-table in the Premier League after an inconsistent season. The performances of Saka and Smith Rowe, who had a goal disallowed but set up Nicolas Pepe for his opener, impressed Arteta. Both players made their debuts under Emery, who was sacked in November 2019 after 18 months at the Emirates. “For me it is a joy to watch them play, to watch them every day in training,” said a delighted Arteta. “How they behave, the passion and the commitment they have for the club. And then how much they like to play football. You have to let them express themselves, and give them certain frameworks to work in and some ideas on how they can exploit their qualities.” Their performances plus two goals from French striker Alexandre Lacazette made light of the absence of last season’s leading scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabon international revealed on Thursday he had been hospitalised after contracting malaria while on international duty. Lacazette has done his case for a new contract no harm at all of late and is on course for his most prolific season since arriving from Lyon in 2017. The 29-year-old Frenchman heads into tomorrow’s league match with struggling Fulham on 13 goals, one shy of the 14 he scored in his maiden campaign in 2017/18. Lacazette — whose contract is up next year — reached 50 Premier League goals for Arsenal when he hit his second against Sheffield United last Sunday. Arteta said a fortnight ago he would only enter contract discussions with Lacazette at the end of the season. However, following the win over Slavia he was effusive in his praise. Meanwhile, Roma lined up a blockbuster Europa League semi-final clash with Manchester United after holding Ajax to a 1-1 draw to go through to the last four 3-2 on aggregate. Edin Dzeko’s strike 18 minutes from time ensured the draw and passage for Paulo Fonseca’s side, who were on the back foot for most of the match, and a showdown with United who strolled into the semis after a 2-0 win over La Liga outfit Granada at Old Trafford. “I’ve never got to a semi-final before, so I’m very proud, especially as we are representing Italy right now,” said Fonseca, who has been under pressure following a disappointing Serie A campaign. “It’s a source of pride for Roma and we are all very happy.” Italy’s only remaining representative in Europe came into the clash at the Stadio Olimpico with a slender lead but two away goals from last week’s first leg in Amsterdam. Their European campaign looked in danger when Ajax teen Brian Brobbey was introduced for Antony at the break and the striker made an instant impact, racing onto Perr Schuurs pass three minutes after the restart and nipped the ball past an onrushing Pau Lopez. However after Dusan Tadic’s strike for the away side six minutes later was ruled out for a foul on Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the build up, Dzeko tipped the tie in Roma’s favour. The Bosnian was on hand to tap home the leveller which put Roma a goal ahead on aggregate after Riccardo Calafiori’s low cross was deflected into his path. With Ajax needing to score again to take the tie into extra-time the hosts were galvanised and managed to fend off Erik ten Hag’s outfit, who will have to wait until next season for a shot at European glory. Roma will be hoping to gain revenge on United for the 7-1 hammering they suffered at Old Trafford at the quarter-final stage of the Champions League in 2007. United had few problems against Granada, who had a mountain to climb after losing the first leg 2-0 in Spain. Edinson Cavani opened the scoring after just five minutes to put United ahead on the night when he lashed home Paul Pogba’s looping knockdown. The away side pressed and had some chances but Jesus Valleho’s last-minute own goal sealed the win for United, who could yet have an all-English final with Arsenal. Emery is on course to claim his fourth Europa League crown as a coach after his Villarreal team made short work of Dinamo Zagreb in a 2-1 win to qualify 3-1 on aggregate. Paco Alacer opened the scoring nine minutes before the break when he finished off a superb team move and Gerard Moreno continued a career-best season shortly afterwards, firing home his sixth goal in the competition after Dominik Livakovic’s save. Mislav Orsic salvaged some pride for Dinamo with 16 minutes left, but it was to little too late to save the Croatian champions’ European campaign.