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Ratings & goals: Valencia 2-4 Arsenal: Aubameyang unplayable, Maitland-Niles poor

By on May 9, 2019

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a superb hat-trick as Arsenal beat Valencia 4-2 in Spain to book our place in the Europa League final.

We started poorly and Valencia broke the deadlock in the 11th minute when Kevin Gameiro scored following a fast break-away from the host after Ainsley Maintland-Niles had seen his shot saved.

However, Arsenal made it 1-1 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate just minutes later when Aubameyang scored with a wonderful strike from 20 yards and Alexandre Lacazette then curled home to make it 5-2.

Valencia pulled one back through Gameiro but Aubameyang eased any nerves of a late comeback with another goal in the 70th minute to make it 6-3 on aggregate.

The Gabon international then completed a stunning hat-trick with a fierce effort high into the net from a tight angle to book out place in the Europa League final with a resounding 7-3 aggregate win.

Here are my ratings:

Cech  7/10 | Made a couple of early saves to seep Valencia at bay. A little unlucky with both goals. Deserves his send off in the final.

Sokratis  7.5/10 | Slow to close down for the opening goal but was otherwise sold enough.

Koscielny  7/10 | Caught out for lack of pace on their opening goal but put in a captains shift to guide us home.

Monreal  7/10 | Completely lost Gameiro for his first goal. Otherwise did his job.

Maitland-Niles  5.5/10 | All over the place in the first half as Valencia targeted him with every attack. Improved after the break and set-up Aubameyang for his second goal.

Xhaka  6.5/10 | Gave very little protection to the defence in the first half. Slightly better after the break when we took control.

Torreira  7/10 | Much busier performance from the South American. Worked hard to try and cut out any Valencia attacks.

Kolasinac  7/10 | Was given a few problems early on but grew into the game and worked hard down the left flank.

Ozil  7/10 | Not at his fluid best but did his job well. Linked up between midfield and the strikers well. Subbed in the second half.

Lacazette  8.5/10 | Great movement and work-rate. Clipped the post with a great chance just before half time but scored a crucial goal to make it 2-1. Superb finish.

Aubameyang  10/10 | Unplayable. Superb finish for his first and second goals and his third was simply stunning. Pace, power, work rate and superb goals. This was as complete a performance as you’ll see.

Subs:

Mkhitaryan [6.5], Mustafi [6], Guendouzi [6.5].

The poor defending at times made life more difficult than it needed to be but our strikers did the business at the other end. Aubameyang in particular was sensational tonight. Baku here we come…..

These are the goals: