After the results recorded by Arsenal and Chelsea in their first leg semi-final games on Thursday night, an all-English final in this year’s Europa League is still on course.
Alexandre Lacazette netted twice at the Emirates Stadium, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored late as Arsenal overthrew an early deficit leading 3-1 against Valencia’s Spanish side.
The LaLiga team took the lead in 11 minutes through Mouctar Diakhaby’s close-range header at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night and wasted a few good chances of extending their lead.
Arsenal soon recovered as Alexandre Lacazette picked up two goals for the Gunners within seven minutes.
While Arsenal initially came to terms with their slim lead, Aubameyang converted on the back post to make sure the North London outfit had a big advantage ahead of the return match at Mestalla next week.
Chelsea played a 1-1 against Entrait Frankfurt in Germany in the other game on Thursday night to put themselves in good stead to advance after the second leg in London next week.