UEFA Europa League semi-final first legs: Arsenal vs Valencia and Frankfurt vs Chelsea

WE'RE ONLY AT HALF-TIME...

It was a good night for the English sides in the UEFA Europa League semis tonight, but we're only half-way through the semi-final ties.

The second leg matches take place next Thursday night and there's sure to be drama and tension at the Mestalla Stadium and Stamford Bridge as the teams look to book their places in the final in Baku later this month.

© Reuters / Eddie Keogh

Arsenal will be the favorites to make it to Baku after their 3-1 win tonight, but there's still plenty to play for in Valencia, while in London Chelsea will know that a clean sheet will guarantee their path to the final.

See you next week!

IT'S FULL-TIME IN BOTH GAMES

And the advantage goes to both Premier League sides, as Chelsea take a 1-1 draw - with a priceless away goal - back to Stamford Bridge for their second leg against Frankfurt next week.

And a late third goal from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may well prove crucial for Arsenal as they take a 3-1 lead to Valencia for next Thursday's second leg. 

If both English sides keep it tight, we could see an all-English, all-London, UEFA Europa League final in Baku on May 29.

AUBAMEYANG MAKES IT THREE

Arsenal have piled players forward in the final minutes in search of a third goal, and it has paid off.

Valencia keeper Neto did brilliantly to save a deflected piledriver from Lacazette, but he was powerless to stop Aubameyang's volleyed finish at the back post immediately afterwards as Arsenal netted a crucial third goal to give them a two-goal advantage heading into stoppage time.

If they keep it tight to the final whistle, that may well prove to be a vital strike for Arsenal's hopes of securing a place in the UEFA Europa League final.

GAMEIRO FIRES OVER AS VALENCIA PRESS FORWARD

Valencia may be 2-1 down, but they're not contenting themselves with an away goal and a one-goal deficit. They're pressing forward in search of an equalizer and a second away goal.

Striker Kevin Gameiro brilliantly made his way into the Arsenal box, but his volleyed effort flew over the Petr Cech's crossbar as the Arsenal fans at the Emirates breathed a sigh of relief.

The Gunners have been on top for long spells, but one slip at the back could undo all their good work.

FRANKFURT PRESS FOR A WINNER

Chelsea have dominated most of the second half in Germany, but the home side are now beginning to push forward in search of a winning goal on home soil.

Right back Danny Da Costa showed some twinkle-toed trickery as he broke into the penalty area, but his cross-shot came to nothing. But it was a warning across Chelsea's bows as the match enters the final 10 minutes.

The tension levels are cranked up to 11 in the Frankfurt Stadium, with both teams chasing a winning goal.

CHELSEA ARE GOING FOR IT

© Reuters / Lee Smith

They've brought on Eden Hazard for the erratic wide man Willian in a bid to turn their second-half pressure into away goals in Frankfurt.

Will it prove a shrewd move? He has 20 minutes to make his presence count.

HAT-TRICK CHANCE MISSED... AGAIN!

Another golden opportunity falls to Lacazette, and another hat-trick chance goes begging. TWO chances, in fact.

The ball fell to the French striker just eight yards from goal, but his attempt to beat Neto at the near post was well blocked by the Valencia keeper. 

The ball then presented itself to Lacazette once again, but, once again, his effort was blocked.

He already has two goals to his name, but he should probably have four now.

HAT-TRICK CHANCE MISSED!

It might have been the easiest chance of the night for Alexandre Lacazette, but somehow Arsenal's French striker managed to completely miss a free header at goal from only six yards out. 

If he'd connected cleanly, Arsenal would be 3-1 up and he'd have the match ball reserved for him at the end of the game.

As it is, he missed his chance and it remains 2-1.

LUIZ HITS THE CROSSBAR

His defensive qualities have come into question over the years, but when it comes to hitting unpredictable free-kicks from range, Chelsea's Brazilian defender David Luiz is certainly worth his place in the side.

And the curly-haired libero nearly fired Chelsea into the lead early in the second half, as his 25-yard free-kick dipped over the wall and crashed against the crossbar with Trapp beaten.

Chelsea clearly fancy their chances of grabbing another away goal or two - and a priceless away win - here in Frankfurt, and are turning the screw as they look to take the lead against the Bundesliga side, who are struggling to get a touch of the ball at the moment.

WE'RE UNDERWAY IN FRANKFURT AND LONDON

We're into the second half in both Frankfurt and London but of course, we're only a little over a quarter of the way through these semi-final ties, which will be concluded in the return legs.

But it's vital to head into those second-leg ties either with a healthy first-leg advantage or - at worst - within striking distance of your opponent.

That makes the next 45 minutes incredibly tense for all four teams. Who will be happiest when the final whistles blow later tonight?