Good Response From Arsenal Following Recent Setbacks

Mikel Arteta stirred his side to two comfortable wins in the space of five days, the second being the most important of them all.

There wouldn't have been a better way for Arsenal to bounce back from the double setbacks experienced after the international break. The first was a 3-0 bashing in the hands of Liverpool then a 1-1 draw at home against Slavia Prague last Thursday.

Before tonight, we visited Bramall Lane to face Sheffield Wednesday. At that ground, the Gunners staged a convincing performance that went on to reflect in the results at the end of 90 minutes.

Sheffield were really ready for a fight as was seen in their attitude. They contested so well and with the way they passed the ball swiftly, no one would have expected that they would get torn apart that way.

On our side, Bukayo Saka who operated in free role, Dani Ceballos, Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli combined well to keep us going. Ceballos' flick gifted Lacazette a chance which he duly slotted in as his 49th Premier League goal.

We created a lot of chances that should have put us far ahead at the halftime whistle but just a goal separated is. Our flow went on upon restart and Gabriel Martinelli finally found the net after being denied a number of times.

Pepe was so sharp enough to snatch a loose pass from opposition before racing off to fire at goal. His shot was parried by Ramsdale. Martinelli was at the right place to hit it on the rebound for our second.

Thomas Partey's pass was well linked to by Lacazette and the Frenchman neatly converted to complete his brace. It was a landmark goal for him, his 50th EPL goal. He became the 10th Arsenal player to achieve that feat.

It was 3-0 at full-time with a clean sheet but then a tougher task awaited us in Czech Republic after fumbling in the first leg.

This night, we launched a big missile away from home to end the hopes of Slavia Prague who a late goal last Thursday put them at advantage ahead of the clash.

Emile-Smith Rowe seemed to have scored the opener but a VAR check adjudged him offside and the goal canceled accordingly.

Pepe then scored the first goal that counted by tucking in at the near post following a clean assist from Smith-Rowe.

Saka then raced into the box only to be brought down by Hromada and the referee pointed at the spot. Lacazette did well to convert and retain his 100% penalty record.

Saka fire a low left-footed shot to make it three before the break. The amazing thing about our goal rush was that all three goals were scored in the space of five minutes.

Laca sealed the day with our fourth and the job was done. A great feat it was to have beaten this side that has not lost at home in their last 30 games and have not even lost in their league so far this season.

We are on to the semi final of the Europa League where we will face Villarreal, a team managed by our former manager Unai Emery who is a veteran in this competition.

Before then, we will host two Premier League ties. The first comes up against Fulham on Sunday to be followed next Friday by a visit to the Emirates by Everton.