It’s been a rollercoaster ride of a season for Arsenal fans since last summer, and as we approach the last few games of the season, it seems as if things are only going to get crazier from here. Heading into their first leg clash against Valencia earlier tonight it seemed as if they were the favourites to register a first leg win – and while they managed to accomplish their goal, it wasn’t exactly simple.
Tough start
It seemed as if Arsenal’s hangover from a run of three straight games was destined to continue early on, as Valencia came forward with real emphasis. Arsenal fans would’ve initially felt pretty confident in their chances courtesy of their impressive home form this season, but even with that, there were signs that things were going to go south fairly quickly.
Mouctar Diakhaby was the man to open the scoring just after the ten-minute mark with a nice header, causing mass panic amongst the Arsenal faithful. The away goal could quite easily prove vital in the second leg, and with that in mind, Arsenal knew that they needed to step things up.
Completing the turnaround
Alexandre Lacazette was the man to start off the comeback, in what would prove to be a Man of the Match performance from the Frenchman. Lacazette then went on to head home a second goal after a pretty poor attempt at a save from Neto, ensuring that the momentum of the tie was back with Unai Emery’s men.
Lacazette missed a series of great chances to get his hat-trick goal, but eventually, Aubameyang struck a late volley to give Arsenal the two-goal advantage that they so desperately need ahead of the second leg. They’ll be well aware of the fact that a 2-0 win for Valencia will now take them through to the final, but as we all know, a lot can happen in 90 minutes of football.
Arsenal will host Brighton before heading over to Spain in an important Premier League clash, whereas Valencia need to get their heads back in the game as they have an important league clash of their own coming up this weekend against Huesca.
Match Report
Arsenal: Cech (6.5), Koscielny (6.5), Sokratis (6.5), Mustafi (7), Kolasinac (7.5), Xhaka (7.5), Guendouzi (6), Maitland-Niles (7), Ozil (7), Aubameyang (8), Lacazette (9.5), Torreira (6.5), Monreal (6), Mkhitaryan (6)
Valencia: Neto (6), Piccini (6.5), Gabriel (7), Garay (6), Roncaglia (6), Gaya (6.5), Soler (6.5), Diakhaby (7), Parejo (7), Moreno (7.5), Guedes (6), Mina (6), Gameiro (6), Wass (6.5)
Referee: Clément Turpin
Goals: Lacazette x2, Aubameyang :: Diakhaby
Yellow Cards: Diakhaby, Parejo
Red Cards: N/A
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
