Unai Emery explains why Matteo Guendouzi started against Lucas Torreira against Valencia

Arsenal boss, Unai Emery, revealed why Matteo Guendouzi had taken advantage over Lucas Torreira in the Europa League's 3-1 win over Valencia against the Gunners.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored late in the game to complete the doubling of Alexandre Lacazette, giving Arsenal the advantage before the return leg scheduled for next Thursday at Mestalla.

That was the answer Arsenal needed after Mouctar Diakhaby scored a goal on the outside in the 11th minute for Valencia.

France under-21 Ace Guendouzi started in the middle of the field alongside Granit Xhaka, with Torreira on the bench although Emery said before the match that the Uruguayan international was in good shape.

And Emery said that Guendouzi was right about his ability to pbad between the lines. He added that the 20-year-old's mission was to play Mesut Ozil, the German international playing a creative role behind the attackers Aubameyang and Lacazette.

Asked after the match on why he had preferred Guendouzi to Torreira, Emery said: "Because we also need with the ball, players having the opportunity to play against a club like Valencia with two lines of four, to break their line with pbades.

"I was thinking with Matteo, he can have it and also with the combination with Mesut.

"After the first half, it did not play as I thought.

"But it's good for us and for our composition with the team.I think the editing has been done to control the possession too.This is the reason.

"Matteo and Lucas can help us early or make an impact. In addition, we give the different qualities.

"The two can play together, they can play one on the other, depending on the match."

Torreira replaced Guendouzi in the 58th minute and Emery hinted that he would like the tactics and staff to change for Thursday's return leg.

"Today, I decided with Matteo to play the upcoming pbades for Mesut, for the attackers, also from one side to the other," Emery said. "Maybe the match in the second half could be different."