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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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LEICESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 28: Petr Cech of Arsenal warms up prior to the Premier League match between Leicester City and Arsenal FC at The King Power Stadium on April 28, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 28: Petr Cech of Arsenal warms up prior to the Premier League match between Leicester City and Arsenal FC at The King Power Stadium on April 28, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

3. Thank you, Petr Cech

In the end, bar one excellent stop from Kevin Gameiro in the second half with the game still at 2-1 and the tie in the balance, quickly rushing out to smother the Valencia attacker’s prodded shot with his knees, Petr Cech did not really have that much to do.

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There was little he could have done for the goal and he only made two saves all night, one of which was the aforementioned blocking of Gameiro’s late gambit. But I wanted to give a word to someone who likely played his final game at Emirates Stadium.

The second leg is away from home and the final, should Arsenal get that far, is in Baku, Azerbaijan. Unless if Bernd Leno gets injured at the weekend in the Gunners’ final home Premier League match, Cech played his final minutes of football at the Emirates on Thursday. He will get a roll of honour alongside Aaron Ramsey at the weekend.

Arsenal did not get him at his best, but Cech has still been a faithful servant of the club for the past four years. An exemplary leader and individual, he is a testament to the football club. He will retire with great dignity, as arguably the greatest goalkeeper of the Premier League and as one of the most popular men in the game. Thank you, Petr Cech.