Arsenal will take a significant two-goal lead to the Mestalla next week after a 3-1 win over Valencia at the Emirates this evening.

Unai Emery's side look like they will miss out on the Premier League top four, making progression in the Europa League even more essential.

The game got off to the worst possible start for the Gunners, with Valencia centre-back Mouctar Diakhaby heading the visitors in front after some woeful defending from Arsenal.

Goncalo Guedes could have made it 2-0 shortly after, but the hosts then turned the game around in the space of eight first-half minutes.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set up his strike partner Alexandre Lacazette for a tap-in on 18 minutes after excellent work from Mesut Ozil in midfield.

Lacazette then struck again on 26 minutes, heading home from Granit Xhaka's pinpoint cross.

Los Che had their chances to draw level in the second-half, with Guedes a constant thorn in the side from the left.

However, Arsenal should have had four goals, with Lacazette guilty of missing two absolute sitters.

Thankfully for the former Lyon man, Aubameyang - who was brilliant on the night - struck late on with a superb volley after a deep cross to the back post from Sead Kolasinac to make it 3-1.

It may not have been completely deserved, but Arsenal will take a crucial two-goal advantage to Spain next week for the second-leg.

Given Valencia's inept defending tonight, you would bank on the Gunners finding the back of the net at least once next Thursday.

But can they stop Valencia scoring? On the basis of tonight, probably not...