The exit of Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli means no Italian clubs are left in European competition this season.
“We knew it was going to be difficult, and sorrythere’s no Italian teams left,” said Ancelotti, after Juventus crashed outof the Champions League to Ajax on Tuesday.
“I think the key to qualification was the first 20minutes in the away match, that’s when we played really badly.
“The two games were really balanced, there wasn’t thatmuch of a difference as the result suggests.”
Emery’s side were never troubled by the Italians despite theheated atmosphere in the Stadio San Paolo, with just over a thousand Englishfans among the 40,000 crowd, and after losing midfielder Aaron Ramsey to ahamstring injury after half an hour.
Napoli had turned up the pressure early with a chance tobreak through after 17 minutes with Kalidou Koulibaly going on thecounter-attack, racing up the pitch to cross to Jose Callejon but Petr Cechclosed down the Spaniard’s weak effort.
Ramsey limped off after 33 minutes with Henrikh Mkhitaryan comingon for the Welsh international.
The Armenian promptly set up Lacazette who was awarded afree-kick after being brought down by Piotr Zielinski.
Lacazette whipped the ball in from 25 metres past amotionless Alex Meret in the Napoli goal.
Napoli could have scored four goals but paid for sloppyfinishing, with captain Lorenzo Insigne visibly upset as the team were whistledoff the pitch.
Emery now faces a reunion with former club Valencia, 5-1aggregate winners over fellow Spaniards Villarreal, as he targets a fourthEuropa League title.
“I think Arsenal is an intelligent team, they arereally well organised offensively and defensively,” said Ancelotti.
“It’s not a team that plays in my opinion fantasticfootball, but they play intelligently and they deserved victory. I wish themthe best in the Europa League.”
The final will be in Baku on May 29.
Three-time Champions League winner Ancelotti finished hisfirst season with Napoli without the promised trophy.
Napoli’s hopes of a first Serie A title since 1990 are overas they trail second in Serie A — 17 points behind Juventus who need just onepoint to wrap up an eighth consecutive Scudetto.
They have not won a European title since the days of DiegoMaradona back in 1989.
“Obviously we’re disappointed that the fans weren’thappy,” said Ancelotti.
“We’re all very disappointed but the heart was therefor all 90 minutes, we tried.
“In the first half we played in an intelligent wayuntil the Arsenal goal, we also had a couple of occasions to score a goal, inthese games it’s important that things go your way.
“We tried, but we look forward, there’s not going to beany drama, everyone is united to try and bring what we achieved this seasonforward.
“The future is already a work in progress, we want to secure the second spot (in the league) as soon as possible.”