Auba gives Arsenal commanding lead

Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang led an impressive Arsenal fightback at the Emirates

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s late goal gave Arsenal a commanding 3-1 lead over Valencia after the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.

The Gabon striker volleyed in from close-range in the final minute to give Arsenal a more comfortable advantage than they had seemed likely to take back to the Mestalla next Thursday, turning in Sead Kolasinac’s pinpoint cross.

Things had looked like panning out very differently with Valencia starting the brighter at the Emirates, and Mouctar Diakhaby headed in from a corner to cement their early dominance (11).

But Alexandre Lacazette single-handedly mounted the Gunners’ first-half turnaround, first combining with Aubameyang, who he played through with a wonderful 40-yard slide-rule pass, before receiving a return pass from his strike partner and firing home with Arsenal’s first shot of the game (18).

And as the hosts grew in confidence, he then headed in from Granit Xhaka’s cross despite Neto’s best efforts to keep his effort from crossing the line (26).

His double, added to Aubameyang’s late third, which was met with wild celebrations from Unai Emery, leaves Arsenal in pole position to reach their first European final since 2006 ahead of next week’s second leg.

More to follow…

What’s next?

Arsenal host Brighton at the Emirates live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event as part of Renault Super Sunday from 4.15pm; kick-off at 4.30pm.

Valencia, facing an uphill struggle to finish in the top four in La Liga, visit Huesca at 7.45pm on Sunday.

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