A fine free-kick from Alexandre Lacazette confirmed Arsenal's place in the last four of the Europa League. They meet Valencia next, and will fancy themselves to go all the way - Unai Emery has already won the competition three times, and so far has shepherded his team through it with great confidence.
In winning the first leg 2-0, Arsenal were excellent for an hour, but would have expected a far more testing in the notoriously hostile environment that is Naples. But Napoli were curiously insipid, unable to absorb momentum from the crowd, and profligate in front of goal when the chances presented themselves.
Napoli's Italian forward Lorenzo Insigne (R) outruns Arsenal's Spanish defender Nacho Monreal (L) during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg football match Napoli vs Arsenal on April 18, 2019 at the San Paolo stadium in Naples
Image credit: Getty Images
After Jose Callejon and Arkadiusz Milik missed fine chances and Aaron Ramsey went off with a hamstring problem - has he played his last match for the club? - Arsenal won a free-kick 30 yards from goal. Lacazette looked confident as he lined up his shot, and hit a powerful effort over the wall towards the near post just as Alex Meret stepped towards the far; he could do nothing but watch as the ball flew past him.
Both teams struggled to create chances in the rest of the match with Napoli still unable to truly test Petr Cech.
TALKING POINT
Can Arsenal trust Ozil? Aaron Ramsey is Arsenal's best player by far, but it would be a surprise if he was back much before the end of the season. Mesut Ozil is the obvious replacement - but, though he might compensate creatively, he cannot supply the energy. Can Unai Emery convince him to run about, and can he impose his vision and technique?
Mesut Ozil of Arsenal sits on the bench during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final Second Leg match between S.S.C. Napoli and Arsenal at Stadio San Paolo on April 18, 2019 in Naples, Italy.
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH
Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal) Few players shone, but Lacazette held it up well, linked play well, and scored a very nice winning goal.
Alexandre Lacazette celebrates scoring a goal for Arsenal with Sead Kolasinac and Granit Xhaka during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final Second Leg match between S.S.C. Napoli and Arsenal at Stadio San Paolo on April 18, 2019 in Naples, Italy.
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Napoli: Meret 6, Maksimovic 6, Chiriches 6, Koulibaly 6, Ghoulam 6, Zielinski 6, Ruiz 5, Allan 5, Callejon 5, Insigne 4, Milik 4. Subs: Meretens 6, Younes 6, Marco Rui 6.
Arsenal: Cech 6, Sokratis 6, Koscielny 6, Monreal 6, Maitland-Niles 5, Torreira 5, Xhaka 5, Kolasinac 5, Ramsey 6, Lacazette 7, Aubameyang 6. Subs: Mkhitaryan 5, Elneny 6, Iwobi 6.
KEY MOMENTS
17’ - What a break from Napoli, Koulibaly charging through Aubameyang and finding Allan inside him; he drives and returns the compliment before Koulibaly curves a delicious pass over to the other side, directly into Callejon's stride. Right of centre, he has a good sight of goal, but can only shoot into Cech's studs. Best chance of the match so far.
28’ - Napoli are getting warm! Ruiz finds Zielinski, who clips a lovely ball seeking Insigne at the far post, except Milik fancies it for himself, deciding to head wide. Velly poower, as my gran would've said.
32' - Oh dear. In a challenge with Zielinski, Ramsey has rinsed his hamstring. He's getting treatment on the pitch, but it's hard to see how he carries on and how this isn't the end of his season and the end of his Arsenal career. That's a huge blow for him and his team.
36’ - WHAT A GOAL! Napoli 0-1 Arsenal (Lacazette) agg 0-3 Lacazette curls over the wall with power and Meret gambles, moving right, so when the ball goes left, is in no condition to even attempt a save! Napoli now need four to go through, Arsenal are heading into the semis, and their players are celebrating on the touchline, a-whoopin and a-hollerin!
Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal scores his sides first goal during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final Second Leg match between S.S.C. Napoli and Arsenal at Stadio San Paolo on April 18, 2019 in Naples, Italy.
Image credit: Getty Images
48’ - WHAT A MISS! WHAT A SAVE! Lacazette slides a pass into space behind the Napoli defence and Mkhitaryan runs onto it, then clips a ball into the middle for Aubameyang - in the middle, on his bill, and six yards out. He makes decent contact too, looking to lift his finish, but from nowhere, Meret dives across the shot, blocking it with his body.
60’ - Oh dear, dear me. Zielikski comes deep and curves a fine pass into the path of Insigne, nashing down the left side of the box. This is a proper chance! But he tamely taps a backpass into Cech's arms!
KEY STATS
Four English clubs are in the semi-finals of European competition for the first time since 1983-84.
Since making his Arsenal debut in August 2017, Alex Lacazette has been involved in 46 goals, scoring 33 and creating 13 - more than any other player at the club.
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2019/04/18/2568870-53276110-2560-1440.jpg)
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2019/04/18/2568966-53278030-2560-1440.jpg)
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2019/04/18/2568909-53276890-2560-1440.jpg)
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2019/04/18/2568918-53277070-2560-1440.jpg)