Arsenal 3-1 Valencia: 3 players who won the game for Unai Emery

Arsenal have continued their impressive record in the Europa League after they beat Valencia at the Emirates. Unai Emery's squad will enjoy a considerable advantage when they travel to Spain for the return leg thanks to the result of the match.

However, Valencia successfully picked up an away goal. This leaves Emery's side with some work to do next week. The North Londoners will try to keep a clean sheet and if possible, increase the goal margin when they play at Mestalla Stadium.

Nevertheless, most of Arsenal players deserve praise for their hard work this time. They dominated the game and did not give too many chances for Valencia to attack. Now we will take a look at the three most impressive stars who got the first leg job done for the Gunners.

#1 Granit Xhaka

Xhaka performed well in the midfield to control the game

Fans have been critical of the Swiss midfielder in recent seasons due to the player's several uninspiring displays. However, in this season, fans are seeing a different side of Xhaka. He has been Arsenal's main midfielder who is capable of dictating the team's play thanks to his accurate passing.

He had a superb performance against Valencia and was influential in both of Arsenal's defense and attack. The 26-year-old ensured his team's smooth play by delivering 91 percent of his passes successfully. He also diligently helped his team to defend by registering two tackles and won one aerial duel.

His effort finally came into fruition when Alexandre Lacazette finished the midfielder's ground-splitting pass in the 25th minute to give Arsenal the lead. He also did not disappoint in his corner-taking role as he delivered a couple of good balls into the box.

#2 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Aubameyang scored a vital third goal for his club

The Gabonese striker has proven once again that he deserves to start every game for the Gunners. Unai Emery has sometimes opted to play with a lone striker, dropping either Lacazette or Aubameyang. However, the former Dortmund man has been the club's key player this season as he has now scored 25 goals in all competitions for Arsenal.

Nevertheless, he delivered his best performance by playing in his natural role this time and successfully terrorized Valencia's backline with his bursting pace. Once again, he forged a deadly partnership with Lacazette up front and was directly involved in two of the Gunners' three goals.

First, he unselfishly sent a brilliant delivery to assist Lacazette's first goal even though he was in a position when he could have tried for goal himself. Second, he registered a goal by finishing Sead Kolasinac's sublime cross at the 90th minute to seal the game for the Gunners.

#3 Alexandre Lacazette

The French striker showed why he is worth his massive price-tag this time. Lacazette might have struggled to score goals in recent matches, but he became Valencia's worst nightmare and gave Arsenal the important goal advantage at the Emirates.

In the game, he was ever present in the final-third and contributed significantly to the Gunners' shots on-target. Emery had been reluctant to pair him with Aubameyang on several occasions, but the manager's decision to start the duo together in this game eventually brought a positive result for Arsenal.

The 27-year-old equalised for the Gunners by clinically finishing Aubameyang's lovely delivery in the 18th minute. However, he did not stop there and netted his second goal from a thumping header to give Arsenal the lead. The Frenchman also had at least two more golden opportunities to score, but he was denied by Neto's brilliant saves.

Edited by Jong Ching Yee