Arsenal came from a goal down to beat Valencia 3-1 in their first leg semi-final tie at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night.
A brace from Alexandre Lacazette and a late goal from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, cancelled out Mouctar Diakhaby’ s opener for Valencia.
It was Arsenal’s first win against Valencia since a 2-1 victory on April 4, 2001 at Highbury.
Valencia took the lead in the 11th minute through Diakhaby who rose highest to head in at the far post after Rodrigo Moreno had headed the ball across goal.
Arsenal equalised on 18th minute as Aubameyang ran through, cut back inside and unselfishly picked out Lacazette who slotted home.
The Frenchman was on target again in the 26th minute putting Arsenal 2-1 up after connecting with Granit Xhaka’s cross into the box.
And in the 91st minute, Arsenal got their third goal as Aubameyang, who was left unmarked at the back post, fired into the net from Sead Kolasinac’s cross after the visitors failed to clear their lines.
And in the other semi-final first leg game in Germany, Chelsea held Eintracht Frankfurt to a 1-1 draw.
Luka Jovic opened scoring for Frankfurt in the 23rd minute before Pedro Rodriguez drew Chelsea level on the stroke of half-time.
Both second leg semi-final games come up next week Thursday.
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