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: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal reacts 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: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal reacts 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) /

1. Europa League is right on

They said that he was the master of the Europa League. They were not wrong. Unai Emery, after three successive Europa League victories with Sevilla prior to his time at Paris Saint-Germain, is at it again, and Arsenal are the beneficiaries of his work.

Throughout the competition, Emery’s side has been excellent at the Emirates. This was their first home goal conceded in the whole tournament this season. Other than the opening 20 minutes or so, they were good here — not quite at their best as against Napoli, but not far from it.

They controlled the majority of the game, created chances, and defended fairly well, bar a couple of early moments. The tie is not over, not by any means. But the late third goal puts Arsenal in an excellent position to see out the contest next week.

Next. Arsenal Vs Valencia: Player ratings. dark

Should they do precisely that, they will be 90 minutes from their first European trophy since before Arsene Wenger. And Unai Emery will have his fourth Europa League in the last four years that he has entered the competition. The Europa League is very much on.