A solid looking team on paper with three at the back plus wingbacks and the Xhaka-Torreira axis. The front three could get isolated if the wingbacks don’t push forward.
Ten men defence or all out attack – let’s hope Unai has got it bang on
First Half
After a slow first ten minutes we decided to spice things up a bit by losing the ball on the edge of Valencia’s penalty area and all of a sudden, 7 men were caught ahead of the ball. A simple goal on the break resulted.
Valencia had a few sniffs but nothing of any consequence and then with our first chance Laca and Auba combined, with the help of a backwards defensive header from our Gabriel, to create a beautifully executed finish from the Gabonese Gooner. Away goal cancelled and an equaliser completely out of the blue. Phew.
Our other two chances both came as we got into the game and even started to string a few passes together. First Auba drove straight at the keeper with his weaker left and then the best chance of the first half fell to Laca after Auba’s brilliant run down the right flank. Alex’s first time effort clipped the outside of the post with the keeper nowhere – oh so close to a second away goal.
Second Half
The second half began in magnificent style with a nicely worked goal finished with a great 360 from Laca and drive into the bottom corner. Two away goals and Valencia now needed 4 goals. Surely that would be enough?!!
from AFC twitter
When they got one back 8 minutes later there can’t have been many Gooners who were completely certain that the mayhem of the previous two nights might not start again in the Mestalla.
Mesut was replaced by Mkhitaryan and we started to control things once more. Ainsley’s assist for Auba’s second was just sublime. The trick to beat the full back and then the driven near post cross were just majestic. When did we last score at the near post? Auba’s finish sent the Gooners both in the stadium and around the world wild with joy. 3-2 away from home and Valencia were back needing 4.
Kolasinac replaced by Mustafi improved the defence as Nacho is so much better as a defending wing back.
Sergio Perez/REUTERS
Matteo for the Terrier was the last excellent substution. He controlled the game for the last ten against a demoralised Valencia team. The final goal was a thing of rare beauty with intricate passing, a stepover, superb return pass by Micki and blasted roof of the net finish for Auba to seal his hat trick. Just superb.
Conclusion
Where has this Arsenal side been hiding in the Premier League? Or is it just a case of English teams are that much more intense?
Unai excelled in the Europa again – it really does seem to be his speciality. The two top-class strikers again proved their worth with 4 goals of such high quality. Seven between them over the two legs – simply outstanding.
What a glorious and unexpected night after the two previous nights of despair! The team confounded most people’s expectations with a performance of real quality. Well Done!
The chavs in Baku and a one game shoot-out. Bring it on.
From AFC
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Ratings
Cech – not sure he had too many saves to make as Valencia’s shooting and crossing wasn’t much better than Napoli’s had been in the quarters … 7
Papa – loved him chest bumping with Kos right near the end – as a pair they were excellent … 8
Kos – magnificent captain’s performance putting his body on the line for the team … 8
Nacho – played his part in his usual whole-hearted way … 8
Ainsley – if he can remove the odd lapse in concentration from his game he’s going to develop into a superb Arsenal stalwart – his assist was so, so good … 8
Sead – still too happy to shovel the ball backwards and then disappear forward – we improved when he got cramp … 7
Granit – a little lumpen on occasion and his intricate short passing game needs work – he gave his all, mind you, which is all we can ask … 7
Lucas – the game seemed to be played around him a little in the first half – great assist for Laca’s goal – still not sure if he and Granit complement each other … 7
Mesut – was ok but when he went off he wasn’t really missed which is telling … 7
Pierre – a world class hat trick from a world class finisher on his day … 10
Alexandre – the second goal came at just the right time and Laca never stopped putting in 100% effort – such a good signing …. 9
Subs
Henrikh – away from the hustle and bustle of the EPL, Micki sometimes excels – his cameo was top drawer, topped off with a glorious assist for Auba’s hat trick goal – that old Dortmund combination in all its glory … 8
Shkodran – filled in nicely … 7
Matteo – looked brilliant in his ten minutes on the Mestalla pitch – instrumental in that final goal with his positive forward passing … 8
Manager
Unai Emery – everything right on the night – you cannot ask for more … 10
Baku here we come!
Ref
Danny Makkelie (NED) – wasn’t fooled by much on the night – excellent … 8
chas
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