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Arsenal 3-1 Valencia: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Lacazette Brace Hands Gunners Healthy Advantage

Arsenal will take a healthy advantage into the second leg of their Europa League semi final with Valencia after beating the Spanish side 3-1 at the Emirates on Thursday night.

Just like their north London counterparts Tottenham, the Gunners were startled by a fast start from their European visitors, culminating in a deserved opener from Mouctar Diakhaby, who rose higher than no less than three red and white defenders to nod his side in front with just 11 minutes played.

However, a quick-fire Alexandre Lacazette brace quickly restored parity. For the first, the Frenchman played in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with a perfectly weighted through ball, before busting a gut to get alongside him quick enough to slot the ball into a practically gaping net.