The possibility of an all-Premier League clash in the Europa League final is still on the cards.
Arsenal came from a goal down to beat Valencia 3-1 in the first leg of their semi-final at the Emirates while Chelsea drew 1-1 away to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Arsenal may have lost three Premier League games in a row but the Gunners got back to winning ways despite the worst possible start. Valencia opened the scoring through Mouctar Diakhaby in the 11th minute but Unai Emery's side produced the perfect response after conceding an away goal.
Alexandre Lacazette leveled things up in the 18th minute when he converted a pass from strike partner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and seven minutes later Lacazette headed home Granit Xhaka's cross to make it 2-1 going in at half-time. The Frenchman could have bagged his hat-trick in the second half but Aubameyang's late goal means Arsenal are in the driving seat heading to Spain next week.
Chelsea also have an advantage after the first leg of their semi-final against Eintracht. Pedro was on target for Maurizio Sarri's side just before half time in a 1-1 draw in Germany. Eintracht took the lead in the 23rd minute through their top scorer Luka Jovic. Sarri said he left Eden Hazard on the bench because the Belgian needed a rest after playing 10 games in a row.
The second legs of those semi-finals will be played next Thursday with the final set to be held at the Olympic Stadium in Baku on May 29.
