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Slavia Prague 0-4 Arsenal (1-5) – Gunners cruise to Europa League semi-finals

By Megan Garbutt

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC - APRIL 15: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after scoring their team's fourth goal during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final Second Leg match between Slavia Praha and Arsenal FC at Sinobo Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Prague, Czech Republic. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Martin Sidorjak/Getty Images)
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC - APRIL 15: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after scoring their team's fourth goal during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final Second Leg match between Slavia Praha and Arsenal FC at Sinobo Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Prague, Czech Republic. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Martin Sidorjak/Getty Images) /
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2. Lacazette is armband material 

Lacazette and Arsenal teammates
Alexandre Lacazette celebrates with Arsenal teammates /

A man of the match performance from Alexandre Lacazette last night proved that if he signs another contract with the club, he should certainly be in contention to wear the captain’s armband on a more regular basis looking ahead to next season.

The Frenchman struck twice, once from the penalty spot and once from close range in the second half, and all he showed all the characteristics of a real leader throughout the full 90 minutes.

His hold-up play was magnificent, as well as the continuous pressure he put on Slavia’s back four and keeper. Putting pressure on defences is something that the striker is notoriously known for, and a strong part of his game.

He also acted as a real leader in the squad, as the absent regular captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang watched from his hospital bed, and the Frenchman proved to Arteta that he deserves to wear the captain’s armband more often.

Lacazette’s first action as a leader, which happened before the first whistle was even blown, was the taking of the knee directly in front of the Slavia Prague team before kick-off; following the racial abuse charge against Ondrej Kudela after an early round defeat to Rangers.

Lacazette has now scored four goals in his last two games for Arsenal, making that 17 goals in all competition for the striker who is currently on track to become the clubs highest goalscorer this season.  He is also close to equalling his highest goal tally for a season at Arsenal, which he achieved in the 2018/19 season.

It will be an interesting transfer window for the Gunners, where some Arsenal fans want to sell Lacazette, whereas others want to keep him as he’s such an integral part of the squad.

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