A hat-trick from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and one from his strike partner Alexandre Lacazette, fired Arsenal into the Europa League final as they beat Valencia 4-2 (7-3 on aggregate).
Unai Emery’s side led 3-1 from the first leg, but Kevin Gameiro got the home side off to the perfect start after just 11 minutes, with the four-time winner of the Europa League converting Rodrigo’s shot across the six-yard box from close range.
However, Arsenal responded just moments later when Aubameyang lashed home on the run from Lacazette’s flick. That away goal deflated the raucous home atmosphere, halting the momentum that Valencia had been building. In retrospect, this was a turning point.
Then the Frenchman got on the scoresheet again just after the break, swivelling and wrestling his way through two opposition defenders to pull a finish past Neto, giving the hosts too much work to do to save the tie.
Arsenal's French striker Alexandre Lacazette celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg football match between Valencia CF and Arsenal FC at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on May 9, 2019
Image credit: Getty Images
Gameiro gave Valencia some hope of adding to a dramatic week of European comebacks, bundling a scrappy finish past Petr Cech, but two more goals from Aubameyang late on completed his hat-trick and secured Arsenal’s place in the Baku final.
TALKING POINT - Arsenal still have a chance of salvaging their season
This season for Arsenal was all about qualifying for the Champions League. Of course, they blew their chance of doing that through the Premier League, but by making the final of the Europa League they still have an opportunity to salvage their season. Emery is a Europa League specialist and on the basis of this display his team will be favourites to lift the trophy later this month in Azerbaijan.
Arsenal's players celebrate their second goal during the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg football match between Valencia CF and Arsenal FC at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on May 9, 2019
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)
Arsenal paid big money for Aubameyang to score big goals in big games, and boy he delivered this evening. This was one of the best individual performances turned in by anyone this season. Of course, his goals gave Arsenal the win at the Mestalla, one of the toughest stadiums to visit in Europe, but he also had a hand in Lacazette’s goal and was instrumental in giving the Gunners the sort of attacking potency that carried them through. What a display this was.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring a goal for Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final Second Leg match between Valencia and Arsenal at Estadio Mestalla on May 9, 2019 in Valencia, Spain
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Valencia - Neto 5, Piccini 6, Paulista 4, Garay 5, Gaya 7, Wass 5, Parejo 5, Coquelin 5, Guedes 6, Gameiro 7, Rodrigo 6. Subs - Mina 5, Soler 7, Torres 5.
Arsenal - Cech 5, Sokratis 6, Koscielny 6, Monreal 5, Kolasinac 5, Maitland-Niles 6, Xhaka 6, Torreira 7, Ozil 7, Lacazette 9, Aubameyang 10. Subs - Mustafi 5, Mkhitaryan 6, Guendouzi 6.
KEY MOMENTS
11’ GOAL! Valencia 1-0 Arsenal (2-3 on aggregate): There's the early goal that Valencia wanted and Arsenal wanted to avoid! The hosts came flying forward on the counter attack, Rodrigo played the ball across the six-yard box and Gameiro was on hand to convert into the empty net! Valencia have a foothold in the tie!
17’ GOAL! Valencia 1-1 Arsenal (2-4 on aggregate): What a HUGE goal for Arsenal! Out of nothing as well! They were under serious pressure, but is that goal enough to take the Gunners to the final? Valencia failed to clear their lines, Aubameyang was played through and he found the near corner with an excellent finish.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final Second Leg match between Valencia and Arsenal at Estadio Mestalla on May 09, 2019 in Valencia, Spain
Image credit: Getty Images
51’ GOAL! Valencia 1-2 Arsenal (2-5 on aggregate): Is that the goal that will send Arsenal into the final of the Europa League? The Gunners came flying forward on the counter, the pass was played by Ozil into Lacazette, he wrestled free of two markers and lashed home a finish!
58’ GOAL! Valencia 2-2 Arsenal (3-5 on aggregate): They couldn't, could they?! Valencia have at least given themselves hope with 30 minutes left to play. Rodrigo's shot hit Gameiro in the box, the ball then spun up nicely for the Valencia striker and he essentially bundled it over the line without knowing much about it.
69’ GOAL! Valencia 2-3 Arsenal (3-6 on aggregate): That will be that! Arsenal will be in the final of the Europa League! Maitland-Niles made a great run down the right side, he played a low cross to the near post and Aubameyang got across Garay to prod home a finish! Arsenal are surely through.
89’ GOAL! Valencia 2-4 Arsenal (3-7 on aggregate): Aubameyang gets is hat trick! What a night it has been for the Arsenal striker! Mkhitaryan played the pass through for him, there was still a lot for him to do, but from a tight angle Aubameyang smashed a finish high into the roof of the net!
KEY STATS
Arsenal have reached their first European final for 13 years (2006 Champions League final against Barcelona).
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored 29 goals in all competitions this season. Sergio Aguero (31) is the only Premier League player with more.
Kevin Gameiro has been directly involved in 11 goals in his last 12 home games in the Europa League, scoring 10 and assisting one.
Arsenal have never been knocked out of a European tie in which they won the first leg by two or more goals, progressing from 28 in succession.
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