Arsenal vs Napoli Review

Alexandre Lacazette's first half free-kick secured a victory for a defensively sound Arsenal to beat Napoli 3-0 on aggregate to reach the Europa League semi-finals for the second year running.

The French striker won and took the freekick, a 25-yard curler which caught out keeper Alex Meret, leaving him flatfooted and all but secured victory for the English side, leaving Napoli needing four goals to go through. The home side did not trouble Petr Cech enough to give themselves a chance of an unlikely comeback, and the Italians succumbed to only their second home defeat of the season. 

Hope was high in Naples, with home fans positive and optimistic about overturning the deficit, on a night when the hosts let fans into their San Paolo stadium nearly three hours before kick-off, in a bid to galvanise support. Yet instead of proving positive inspiration, the atmosphere failed to inspire, and instead appeared to put off their team, who managed only one shot on target before half-time. Petr Cech denied Callejon with his legs, after centre-back Koulibaly led a rapid counter.

Two minutes into the second half, Alex Meret gave hope to his side by denying Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with a superb save from close range, while Polish striker Arkadiusz Milik failed to take his chance, firing wide from a Mario Rui cross. 

The only potential negative from the game tonight is Aaron Ramsey being substituted, with what is thought to be a pulled hamstring, which could see his season ended. If it is the end for Ramsey's career in North London it would be a great way to depart on a high, and he will certainly be missed by the Arsenal faithful. 

Arsenal progress to face Valencia, who Unai Emery's once was in charge of in the semi-finals, with the prospect of a first European final in 13 years well within sight, and the chance of a London derby in Baku also still a prospect as Chelsea beat Slavia Prague 4-3 in London, and 5-3 on aggregate.