Arsenal: Victory against Valencia could reshape a dying season

After three straight shock losses, Arsenal Europa League first leg victory over Valencia could reshape the confidence and determination of the Gunners.

Arsenal‘s season seemed on the up and up on the nineteenth of April. The day after defeating Napoli in the second leg of the Europa League quarterfinals, this club sat red hot with the semifinals to come, and what looked to be an easy road to the top four, even top three table finish.

Oh, how two weeks can change a mood.

With three straight shock losses to Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton and Leicester City, the top four is no longer in Arsenal’s hands to achieve. Whether they have “lost the plot” or not, the road since Napoli has been a rocky one.

Between rumors of confusion and dissent in the locker room with Unai Emery’s lineups and shapes, Aaron Ramsey’s Arsenal career-ending injury and a defense that gave up nine goals in three games after looking far more stout in prior matches, the timing couldn’t have been poorer.

The semifinals against Valencia had to be where the streak stopped and winning was again experienced.

Then came the start of the match in the Emirates Stadium, a place Arsenal has excelled in this season. And just like that, eleven minutes in, Mouctar Diakhaby‘s header off of a Valencia corner kick put Arsenal down by one, with the road goal concession.

Absolutely brutal.

And yet, by the twenty-sixth minute the Gunners were up by one thanks to a brace by Alexandre Lacazette. In a game in which he could’ve had four himself, objectively speaking he once again demonstrated himself this club’s most clutch performer.

Auba’s volley in the first minute of stoppage time gave the Gunners breathing room going into Spain to be sure. An away goal for this club would mean Valencia would need three just for extra time, a tall task even against this shaky backline, who nonetheless can see the Europa League Finals in sight.

While the back of the shape still has much to be worked on and coaxed to achieve, making sure the midfield and forwards are in full form must always be top priority at this point. Hot strikers can give the back of a shape greater confidence and in this season, Arsenal are a team that plays defensively better from a lead.

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Shaking off the last twelve days or so against a strong Valencia side will be crucial, not only for righting the ship at a most crucial moment of the campaign, but for putting the Gunners securely in contention for a spot in the Champions League next year. For the prestige, the monetary supplement, morale of the team and outlook for signing future players, this is absolutely key.

Going to Spain wasn’t ever going to be the easy part. Heading to Valencia will undoubtedly mean that scoring an away goal will be of the utmost importance. If the ailing Arsenal defense can muster up a performance like what was seen in Italy against Napoli, I think every Gooner would be happily shocked and curious as to why we lack such consistency as other talented, well-coached sides expect to see from their club.

With the Europa League finals squarely in the sights and grasp only one year after falling short in this very same round, the players must feel a sense of urgency in grasping this opportunity. After failing to secure Champions League passage up to this point through the Premier League top four, an even greater intensity of focus must be applied to the second leg. This is not to say that we should be overthinking ourselves either however.

No Carl Jenkinson or Mohamed Elneny shock selections, no being cute or witty, simply our 4-3-1-2, most creative and well-synched players in attack mode, putting the pressure on the side down with only ninety minutes left. One goal makes the match an even more daunting task while two essentially puts the tie out of reach.

The killer instinct lacking in the last three Premier League matches will have to be rediscovered and reset in Arsenal’s domestic campaign, but only after full commitment in the Europa League. The season depends on as much.