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IEmery's defense had flattered Valencia, so it was his forwards who showed that this La Liga team was barely unbeatable. Lacazette created the opening of his first match with a superb right ball that was shaped by Valencia's defense for Aubameyang. Aubameyang fell back in time to resume the Lacazette race and deliver the ball to his left foot on arrival.
The second was a Granit Xhaka ball at the back post which revealed a vulnerability of Valencia's defense. Lacazette was practically unchallenged in his head. Brazilian goalkeeper Norberto Neto tried to save him and tried to save him from the post. Arsenal was back and the UAE crowd adjusted his mood accordingly, finally acknowledging that it was a semifinal to win.
The start of the second period was much more confident from Arsenal's point of view, and there was more chances and a lot more ball possession. Before the time, Emery replaced Matteo Guendouzi by Lucas Torreira and Lacazette responded with what appeared to be a gesture of disbelief towards the bench. Maybe it was something else he had in mind, even if he seemed to disagree.
He had more chances for him, a shot, then a bounce coming from Aubameyang in offside position. Lacazette saw them both blocked. For a time, they looked like the old Europeans, with Laurent Koscielny dominating the back and much more confident. But there were still chances for Valencia with the hesitation of the club at the back.
At 15 minutes from the end, Emery replaced Mesut Ozil by Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The German had sometimes advanced the ball with his usual grace, but the pbad was lost. It was time to try something different.
Meanwhile, Arsenal gave up half-chances until Mkhitaryan oversaw a late rally. He and Lacazette both had a shot before Sead Kolasinac went to the last post for Aubameyang to finish and give some comfort to Arsenal.
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