Arsenal survive early scare to take box seat against Valencia
● Lacazette and Aubameyang on target as Emery’s men fight back in semi-final
Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-emerick Aubameyang hit the goals as Arsenal came from behind to beat Valencia in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final at the Emirates Stadium.
Heading into the game on the back of three consecutive Premier League defeats, winning the Europa League appears to now be Arsenal’s best chance of returning to the Champions League for next season.
But it was Valencia who started the game brightly, captain Daniel Parejo dinking in a free-kick for Rodrigo to cross to Ezequiel Garay – only for the defender to clear the crossbar with a close-range chance. Arsenal did not heed that warning and fell behind when Diakhaby headed in from two yards out after Rodrigo headed a corner back across goal.
Ainsley Maitland-niles almost gifted Marcelino’s side a second when he attempted to head a loose ball back to Petr Cech after the goalkeeper had pushed Parejo’s shot away but could only direct it on to the boot of the onrushing Goncalo Guedes for the ball to drop over the crossbar.
Just as Arsenal looked like being over-run, they equalised against the run of play as Aubameyang broke clear and, with Valencia goalkeeper Neto opting to rush from his line and ending up nowhere near the ball, had the presence of mind to poke a pass for Lacazette to tuck home.
Seven minutes later, Arsenal were ahead, Granit Xhaka crossing for Lacazette to head in his 18th goal of the season – Neto again at fault as he could only push the ball on to the post with referee Clement Turpin confirming it had crossed the line.
Valencia were back on the front foot immediately after the interval, Diakhaby’s longrange drive blocked behind as they pushed for an equaliser.
However, Lacazette should have sealed his hat-trick but instead passed up two fine opportunities, making poor contact with a header from an Aubameyang cross before failing to beat Neto from five yards out soon after.
Valencia substitute Kevin Gameiro drew a smart save from Cech, potentially playing his last game on English soil before his retirement.
Arsenal soaked up further pressure before extending their advantage as Aubameyang converted Sead Kolasinac’s cross at the back post.