Arsenal Vs Valencia: 5 things we learned – I love centre-forwards

3. Strikers bail Arsenal out… again

I often feel like a broken record. And I am going to say exactly the same thing that I feel like I say after almost every Arsenal match: the excellent centre-forwards, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, bailed them out again.

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Both were key in the crucial opening two goals: Lacazette inexplicably won a header against a Valencia defender to flick the ball into his striker partner, who arrowed a beautiful half-volley into the corner of the net off the outside of his boot; Aubameyang then dribbled at Gaya and, upon losing the ball, leapt up off the floor to win it back, which led to Lucas Torreira feeding Lacazette who finished beautifully.

Aubameyang would proceed to score twice more, converting Maitland-Niles’ low cross with a neat prodded finish before smashing a thunderous strike into the roof of the net to secure his first hat-trick for Arsenal. The pair’s movement off the ball and cohesive pressing was also exceptional, Aubameyang at one point sprinting a good 40 yards to recover his position and close down the ball.

Early on, Valencia were the better team. They were controlling the game, creating chances, and scored the opening goal. But because of the brilliance of Aubameyang and Lacazette, it did not matter.