Europa League: Arsenal, Chelsea, Valencia, Frankfurt into semifinals

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A magnificent Alexandre Lacazette free kick sent Arsenal into the Europa League semi-finals with a comfortable 1-0 win away to a toothless Napoli on Thursday, ending Serie A's interest in European competition this season.

Chelsea scored three early goals before surviving a second-half scare to advance to the semifinals of the Europa League on Thursday with a 4-3 home win over Slavia Prague, and Arsenal beat Napoli 1-0 to make the last four for the second straight year.

In the other second-leg quarterfinal games, Valencia won 5-1 on aggregate after defeating Villarreal 2-0, and Eintracht Frankfurt overturned a two-goal deficit from the first leg. The German team went through on away goals following a 2-0 home victory over Benfica and 4-4 overall.

Chelsea enjoyed a 4-1 lead at halftime before conceding two goals after the interval for a 5-3 aggregate win. The London club equaled Atletico Madrid's record run of 15 unbeaten games in the competition.

Chelsea play Frankfurt in the semifinals, and Arsenal, who won 3-0 overall, meet Valencia.

A magnificent free kick by Alexandre Lacazette (L) sent Arsenal into the Europa League semifinals on April 18, 2019. /VCG Photo

For all four semifinalists, winning the Europa League would secure a route into the Champions League outside of their domestic leagues.

Arsenal and Chelsea are currently locked in a tight fight with Tottenham and Manchester United for the last two qualifying spots from the Premier League behind Liverpool and Manchester City.

Valencia are sixth in the Spanish league, three points behind Sevilla in fourth. Frankfurt are fourth in the Bundesliga.

Ramsey's final game for Arsenal?

Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsey could have played his last game for Arsenal ahead of his summer move to Juventus after limping off injured against Napoli.

The Welsh midfielder looked to have picked up a hamstring injury half an hour into the game.

Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey suffered a suspected hamstring injury on April 18, 2019. /VCG Photo

Arsenal manager Emery said he didn't know whether Ramsey would play again this season.

The Welshman, out of contract with Arsenal in June, will end an 11-year association with the Gunners after agreeing a deal with Juve reportedly worth 400,000 pounds (515,000 U.S. dollars) per week over four seasons.

Reduced to a bit-part player under Emery, Ramsey's recent form – he has three goals in his last seven starts – had helped him regain a regular spot in the Arsenal side.

The 28-year-old, set to follow in the footsteps of countrymen John Charles and Ian Rush by switching England for Turin, had struck the opening goal in last week's 2-0 win over Napoli.

Source(s): AP ,AFP