Mikel Arteta raves about ‘really good’ Arsenal pair after 4-0 win

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta watched his team thrash Slavia Prague 4-0 in the Czech Republic and afterwards, he raved about Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka to Football London.

The Gunners were in the mood last night. They roared into the semi-finals of the Europa League with a clinical display and set up a last-four showdown with Unai Emery’s Villarreal.

A brace from Alexandre Lacazette and strikes by Saka and Nicolas Pepe ended Prague’s resistance and made a mockery of the away goal they claimed at the Emirates Stadium a week ago.

The Gunners might have to win the competition to ensure a return to European football next season. Arsenal are ninth in the Premier League and have struggled for any real consistency.

After last night’s game, Arteta was interviewed and he reserved special praise for the duo of Saka and Smith Rowe – both of who were excellent through the quarter-final.

He told Football London: “For me, it’s a joy to watch them play to watch them every day in training, how they behave, the passion, the commitment they have for the club and how much they like to play football.

“You have to let them express and then you have to give them certain work frames and some ideas of how to exploit their qualities. Then it’s up to them and thought they were both really good today.”

TBR View: Future looks bright for Arsenal

He’s had his critics but one thing Arteta has got spot on during his time at the Emirates Stadium is his desire to blood the club’s youngsters.

Saka and Smith Rowe are certainly two of the brightest prospects at the club and the regular first-team football is doing wonders for their development.

Both players were in fantastic form last night and are thriving under regular opportunities to play football.

Arsenal have endured an inconsistent campaign but next year the younger members of the squad should kick on and that could bode well for the Gunners.