Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Valencia: 5 things we learned – Alexandre Lacazette, Player of the Season

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal (9) scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final First Leg match between Arsenal and Valencia at Emirates Stadium on May 02, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal (9) scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final First Leg match between Arsenal and Valencia at Emirates Stadium on May 02, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 02: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal (9) scores his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final First Leg match between Arsenal and Valencia at Emirates Stadium on May 02, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 02: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal (9) scores his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final First Leg match between Arsenal and Valencia at Emirates Stadium on May 02, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Thursday night, Arsenal hosted Valencia in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final. Here are five things we learned from the 3-1 win.

In the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Spanish side Valencia, Arsenal, after what was an unquestionably nervy and unconvincing start, put themselves in a commanding position to finish the job in the second leg in a week’s time. Two goals from Alexandre Lacazette and a late third from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang handed the Gunners a crucial 3-1 victory at the Emirates.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Death, Decay, Despair

Here are five things we learned.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 02: Mouctar Diakhaby of Valencia (12) outjumps Alexandre Lacazette and Granit Xhaka of Arsenal as he scores his team’s first goal past Petr Cech during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final First Leg match between Arsenal and Valencia at Emirates Stadium on May 02, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 02: Mouctar Diakhaby of Valencia (12) outjumps Alexandre Lacazette and Granit Xhaka of Arsenal as he scores his team’s first goal past Petr Cech during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final First Leg match between Arsenal and Valencia at Emirates Stadium on May 02, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

5. Defending set pieces, anyone?

The uncomfortable opening the match stemmed from Arsenal’s inability to defend set pieces. They first conceded an excellent opportunity in the eighth minute when Ezequiel Garay skewed a half-volley high, over the bar from a handful of yards out after the high defensive line was exposed from a deep, central freekick.

Then, just minutes later, the goal came. A corner to the far post was headed back across the six yards and Mouctar Diakhaby was there to win the header and knock it past a stranded Petr Cech. Neither header was defended well, with Sokratis unaware at the far post for Rodrigo’s knockback into the area and three defenders beaten by Diakhaby for the goal.

Vulnerabilities against set plays were exploited by Wolves and Crystal Palace last week, the former’s first two goals coming from a direct freekick and corner. The high line at freekicks is causing all sorts of problems, while there seems to be an overall lack of organisation and communication. It is an issue that must be solved.