Arsenal took one step into the final of the Europa League with a 3-1 win over Valencia in their own backyard. The Gunners came back from an early setback as the visitors scored the first goal of the match.
Mouctar Diakhaby took advantage of a pinpoint ball delivered by Rodrigo across the face of the Arsenal goal and headed it into the net to get his side in the lead. However, the Gunners got their bearings together as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s pass found Alexandre Lacazette in the box and the Frenchman brought his side back into the match with a fine strike. He doubled the lead for his team with a header from the close range as the ball went over the line.
In the second half, Arsenal took control of the match, and Aubameyang got the third goal for his side with a fine finish in the dying minutes of the match to make it 3-1.
Here is how the Arsenal players were rated from their win against Valencia.
Petr Čech: 7
Did well to keep the opposition strikers at bay. Was not at fault for the goal. Had a decent outing.
Shkodran Mustafi: 6
A better performance in the second half after he failed to contain Diakhaby from scoring the goal in the first half. Kept his position well against Rodrigo and blocked a few shots.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos: 6.5
Got into tussles with the opposition players throughout the match. Marshalled the backline with a lot of composure.
Laurent Koscielny: 7
Solid performance from the captain as he kept the opposition strikers quiet on most occasions throughout the match. Did his job well before being substituted late in the second half.
Mattéo Guendouzi: 6
Looked a little subdued against the physicality of Diakhaby in the middle of the pitch. Kept getting the ball into channels with his passing.
Granit Xhaka: 6
Should have done better against Diakhaby to prevent him from scoring the goal. Did well to get the assist for Lacazette though in the first half. Had a decent second half.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles: 6
Ran into the danger area with his electric pace quite a few times. Needs to work on his backtracking though.
Sead Kolašinac: 7
Deceived the Valencia players with his classy dribbling skills and got the ball into the box a few times. Got a quick assist for Aubameyang for the third goal.
Mesut Özil: 6.5
Looked out of touch in the first half on several occasions. Got his game together in the second half and initiated several attacks from midfield with his quick runs and accurate passing.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 8
Looked like a menace for the opposition whenever he got the ball. Assisted the first goal with a pinpoint pass to open up the defence. Put the final nail on Valencia’s head in the first leg with a fine volley in the 90th minute.
Alexandre Lacazette: 8
Initiated the comeback for his side with two well-taken goals. His physicality and power were too much to contain for the Valencia defence. Should have finished the match with at least four goals to his name.
Substitutes
Lucas Torreira: 6
Made some good interceptions in the middle of the pitch to break down the opposition attacks.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
Nacho Monreal: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
