3 things we learned from the UEFA Europa League semifinal first leg

The two London clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea, did well in the first legs of the UEFA Europa League semifinals yesterday to take a significant step towards setting up a clash in the final. Arsenal, who have never won the Champions League or the Europa League, beat Valencia 3-1 at the Emirates, while Chelsea drew 1-1 with Eintracht Frankfurt in Frankfurt.

The second leg is still remaining, but the first leg results have gone in favour of the two English clubs. Neither Arsenal nor Chelsea is certain to finish in the top 4 of the Premier League, and therefore winning the Europa League might enable either of them to take part in next season’s Champions League.

Therefore, it would be an absorbing tie, should both of them make the final of this season’s Europa League.

We now take a look at three things we learned from the semifinal matchups.

#1 Lacazette and Aubameyang again proved to be effective for Arsenal

Arsenal started with a 3-5-2 formation last night, and both their forwards, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, performed creditably. Laczazette scored a brace and Aubameyang netted another as Arsenal proved to be too strong for Valencia.

Lacazette scored the first goal from Aubameyang’s pass by slotting the ball into an empty net. It was his 17th goal of the season, and he again proved to be decisive for Arsenal. He again scored from a Granit Xhaka cross in the 25th minute and took his tally of goals this season to 18.

Auba then scored in the second half by volleying in a cross from Sead Kolasinac and notched his 25th goal of the season. Both forwards are proving to be useful for Arsenal, and Unai Emery has duly pinned his hopes on both of them helping register Arsenal’s maiden title triumph in the Europa League.

#2 Valencia started strongly but fizzled out in the end

Valencia was up against their former manager at the Emirates and fielded a defensive 5-4-1 formation. They wanted to come out unbeaten from Arsenal’s home ground and tried to keep a clean sheet. They also got the opening goal in the 11th minute of the match through Mouctar Diakhaby, but could not hold on to the lead for long.

Valencia had the talented Rodrigo as their lone forward, but the latter struggled to find form last night. Moreover, their attacking midfielders like Gameiro and Guedes also failed to impress, as the likes of Xhaka, Matteo Guendouzi, and Mesut Ozil dictated terms in the midfield.

Valencia’s defence struggled to hold its own against Arsenal’s forward duo and conceded three goals. It would be an uphill task for them to actually make a comeback in the return leg, as Arsenal already have a foot in the final.

#3 Chelsea got a vital away goal in Frankfurt

Chelsea coach, Maurizio Sarri, left the talismanic Eden Hazard on the bench last night against Frankfurt and did not have to regret his decision. The veteran Pedro Rodriguez got the equaliser in the 45th minute of the match after Frankfurt had taken the lead through Luka Jovic.

Jovic scored his 26th goal for Frankfurt this season with a low header that beat the Chelsea goalie. However, Pedro’s neat finish from inside the box might prove to be decisive in the end. Olivier Giroud and Willian also started for Chelsea, but could not create scoring opportunities.

Hazard was introduced into the match later, as Chelsea pushed for the winning goal. David Luiz’ free-kick hit the cross-bar and Frankfurt’s Makoto Hasebe also came very close to scoring. However, the match ended 1-1, and Chelsea would fancy their chances of securing a victory at Stamford Bridge next week.