Arsenal vs Valencia Ratings: Arsenal Player Ratings + Twitter Reaction
Arsenal were comfortable 3-1 winners in the home leg of their Europa League semifinal fixture against Spanish outfit Valencia. Despite a shaky start, the Gunners were able to control the game by the midway point of the first half. Also, although they conceded the first goal, Arsenal came back looking much stronger.
A brace by Alexandre Lacazette and a late goal by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were enough to see out the 3-1 victory. Their defence wasn’t the best throughout the tie though as they allowed Valencia many opportunities to come back into the game – opportunities that the La Liga outfit were unable to take advantage of.
Here are the Arsenal Player Ratings:
Petr Cech 7
The veteran keeper did flop around when Valencia scored the opener but looked more than secure from there on in.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles 5
The youngster wasn’t his usual self today as he didn’t bring out the attacking quality that he usually showcases.
Shkodran Mustafi 4
How the German defender still has a place in the starting side is beyond most Gunners’ fans wildest beliefs.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos 6
Made a horrible tackle on a Valencia player in first half but had a fairly assured spell in the heart of midfield.
Laurent Koscielny 7
The French veteran was the Gunners’ most solid defender on the night and he led from the front as well.
Sead Kolasinac 6
The wing-back showed poor touch and ball retention on multiple occasions across the course of the fixture
Matteo Guendouzi 4
The youngster was poor in the centre of the park as he got completely overrun by the ultra-energetic Valencia midfield.
Granit Xhaka 6
The Swiss international was assured on the ball at times but did get caught in possession a lot of times too.
Mesut Ozil 5
Didn’t have too much of an impact throughout the tie but seems to be getting involved in the build-up more.
Alexandre Lacazette 8
The Frenchman almost singlehandedly won Arsenal the game on the night as he turned the scoreline around.
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Pierre Emerick Aubameyang 6
The Gabonese forward did well to take his goal in the dying seconds but was a spectator for most of the tie.
Here’s how some thrilled Arsenal fans reacted to this emphatic victory:
