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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang helps Arsenal thrash Valencia to secure place in Europa League final

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang helps Arsenal thrash Valencia to secure place in Europa League final

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s superb hat-trick helped Arsenal seal their place in the Europa League final with a 4-2 win in Valencia.

The Gabon striker crucially equalised on the night in the first half after Kevin Gameiro had given the hosts early hope of pulling back a 3-1 deficit.

But Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette both scored to put the Gunners ahead on the night.

And although Gameiro grabbed another back for the Spaniards, Aubameyang’s final two goals ensured Europa League specialist Unai Emery will be in Baku after a 7-3 aggregate victory.

Valencia took the lead on the night and reduced the aggregate deficit to one goal when they scored after 11 minutes.

Rodrigo broke down the left and when he squared to the far post Gameiro slotted home.

But Arsenal were soon level when Lacazette headed down a long ball and Aubameyang volleyed into the corner.

Lacazette then made it 2-1 to the Gunners and 5-2 overall with a good finish after 50 minutes in Spain.

An Arsenal breakaway saw Lucas Torreira pass to Lacazette and he spun inside his marker before firing home.

Gameiro scored his second after 58 minutes and Arsenal were back to two goals in front on aggregate with the assist again coming from Rodrigo.

But Aubameyang netted his second when he forced the ball in at the near post from a Maitland-Niles cross to put the Gunners 3-2 in front.

And the former Borussia Dortmund man completed his hat-trick with one minute left to leave Arsenal with a 4-2 win on the night.

They will face either Chelsea or Eintracht Frankfurt in Baku’s Olympic Stadium on May 29.

Additional reporting by PA.

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