An all-English final of the Europa League could still happen as Arsenal and Manchester United both safely navigated their way to the final four.
But the only way the Gunners can win the competition is if United ‘stink the place out’ in the final, according to former Chelsea player and talkSPORT host Jason Cundy.
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Mikel Arteta’s side thrashed Slavia Prague 5-1 on aggregate, while Ole Gunnar Solskajer’s team had no issues in navigating Granada.
Arsenal face Villarreal in the next round and Man United face Roma.
When asked if the north London club can win the competition, Cundy told the Sports Bar: “They shouldn’t win this competition. Man United should win it.
“Arsenal won’t win it. I don’t know how Arsenal can. The only way Arsenal can is if United rock up and stink the place out, which they can do, and Arsenal put in a performance above expectations.”
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It was an impressive performance in their quarter-final second leg against Slavia Prague as they won 4-0 with two goals from Alexandre Lacazette and one each from Nicolas Pepe and Bukayo Saka.
On the performance, Cundy added: “It was a brilliant result. Smith Rowe… his runs, his movement, he was desperately unlucky he didn’t get a goal.
“Not long after that he has a big say in the goal.
“Pepe – this is the thing that makes me wonder about Arsenal. I see Pepe tonight and that finish. He stays on his feet, it’s a difficult finish and there’s lots he’s still got to do.
“The temptation to go down must have been on his mind. He felt contact, you can tell, and he decides to stay on his feet.
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“He has the presence of mind and composure to set the ‘keeper down and clip it in. It’s a brilliant goal.
“Who is this Pepe?
“You get players in an Arsenal shirt who shine and shine brightly, but when they don’t they are dull.
“Pepe is the epitome of what Arsenal are right now.”
After the game, Mikel Arteta admitted it will be a tough game in the Europa League semi-final as he side face Villarreal for a place in the final.
The Spanish side just so happen to be managed by the man Arteta replaced at Arsenal – Unai Emery.
He lasted just 18 months at the Emirates before being fired in November 2019.
His Villarreal side have been doing well in LaLiga this season and Emery is well versed in Europa League success.
He led Sevilla to three consecutive titles from 2013 to 2016 before he joined Paris Saint-Germain.
Arteta won the FA Cup after replacing Emery, but has a worse record than his predecessor.
When asked about facing the Spaniard in the next round, Arteta told talkSPORT’s Ian Abrahams: “Yes it will be a tough game. Villarreal are a top side and Unai is the most successful manager in the competition.
“We will enjoy tonight and have time to prepare for that. Now time to prepare for Fulham on Sunday.”
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