Follow RT Sport's live updates from Thursday night's two UEFA Europa League semi-final first-leg ties, as two London clubs from the Premier League face opposition from La Liga and the Bundesliga in the last four of the tournament.
02 May 2019
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.
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
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?
IT'S HALFTIME AT THE EMIRATES
And Arsenal are now nicely in control, after a disastrous start to the game.
Thankfully for Unai Emery's men they have a front line in top form, and Alexandre Lacazette's first-half brace has put the Gunners 2-1 ahead at the break.
Valencia have an away goal, and will be keen to ensure they concede no more in the second half. But with Lacazette, Aubameyang and Ozil looking lively up top for Arsenal, the second half could well produce more goals.
Do Valencia pack their defence or look to grab another away goal? It's stick or twist dilemma for the La Liga side, with the wrong decision likely to leave them with a big second-leg deficit to overcome.
PEDRO PILEDRIVER LEVELS THINGS UP IN FRANKFURT
Chelsea have been cranking up the pressure on the Frankfurt defence, and finally the London club have found a breakthrough.
Right on the stroke of halftime Pedro found time and space to thrash a rocket of a shot past Kevin Trapp and pull Chelsea level.
It's an equalizer, an away goal and just about the last kick of the first half as Chelsea leave the field wearing broad grins, and Frankfurt's players looking less than impressed.
It's 1-1 at halftime.
LACAZETTE AT THE DOUBLE!
Arsenal hitman Alexandre Lacazette has turned the tie around for Arsenal with his second goal in the space of a quarter of an hour, as his back post header is too hot for Valencia keeper Neto to handle, and the ball crossed the line before the custodian finally scooped the ball away from goal.
The goal-line technology instantly informed the referee that the ball had crossed the line, but replays showed it wasn't even close.
Now Arsenal are in control, but will they build on their lead or can Valencia claw their way back?
FRANKFURT BREAK THE DEADLOCK
Serbian striker Luka Jovic has given Eintracht Frankfurt the lead over Chelsea in Germany after 25 minutes.
The Bundesliga side's top scorer finished brilliantly with a diving header to divert a Filip Kostic cross into the bottom corner.
There was plenty for Jovic to do, despite the excellent cross, but he produced a quite superb header to find the net and now the stadium in Frankfurt is absolutely rocking.
ARSENAL STRIKE BACK!
Arsenal's strike trio of Ozil, Aubameyang and Lacazette combine superbly in a sweeping counter-attack to draw the Gunners level, with Lacazette rolling the ball home after being set up perfectly by Aubameyang.
Arsenal needed something, and thanks to their livewire front three, they found a goal.
That will settle the nerves at the Emirates, but Valencia remain dangerous.
JUST IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...
...the people manning the official Valencia Twitter account weren't shy in announcing their goal.
And a defensive mix-up from a VERY shaky Arsenal back line very nearly gifted Valencia a second goal, but the Gunners survived.
Former Valencia boss Unai Emery's Arsenal team need to find some composure from somewhere, and fast.
VALENCIA MAKE PRICELESS EARLY BREAKTHROUGH
Arsenal are undone from a basic corner routine as a deep ball is headed back across goal and, with Arsenal players standing and watching, Diakhaby leaps highest to head home from point-blank range and give the Spanish side the lead - and a priceless away goal - after just 11 minutes at the Emirates.
The Londoners now face an uphill battle on their own pitch after a disastrous start to the game.
SOKRATIS GETS LUCKY
Arsenal's Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos is a lucky boy after a late tackle leaves six studs in on Frenchman Mouctar Diakhaby.
It was a mistimed, late challenge that could easily have earned the Arsenal man a yellow card.
GUNNERS HOPING FOR GOALS
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette have hit 40 goals between them for the Gunners so far this season, and all eyes will be on the Arsenal strike pairing as they look to make home advantage count against Valencia, who have made four changes to their lineup after losing 1-0 to Eibar in La Liga at the weekend.
HAZARD ON THE BENCH FOR CHELSEA
There was a big surprise when Chelsea's team sheet was submitted for their away tie at Frankfurt, with the news that Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard was left out of the starting lineup.
The Frankfurt players will have been boosted in confidence at seeing the London club's most creative player omitted from the starting XI, but Chelsea do have the option of calling on him from the bench.
WELCOME TO MATCHDAY!
After the drama - and the brilliance - of the UEFA Champions League semi-final first legs earlier this week, the eyes of the football world turn to UEFA's second big club competition, the Europa League, as the last four get set to battle it out in the semi-finals.
Tonight sees the two first-leg matchups get underway, with Arsenal playing host to Valencia and Eintracht Frankfurt entertaining Chelsea.
For the away clubs, it's an opportunity to grab a priceless away goal or two to set things up for their return legs at home, while for tonight's home clubs victory - and a handy first-leg cushion - is vital as they look to establish an unassailable lead heading into the second leg away from home.
We'll be watching both games at the same time to bring you live updates from both matches throughout the evening. Kick-off is just minutes away, so why not join us?