Europa League semi-final best XI: Arsenal strike duo star

 

Goalkeeper: Kevin Trapp (Eintracht) - 7.70 rating 

 

It wasn’t to be for Eintracht Frankfurt, whose Europa League adventure drew to a close in the most heartbreaking way possible. A penalty shootout defeat at the hands of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge shouldn’t dampen what has been a fine campaign for the German side, who made it so far in part due to the goalkeeping performances of German Kevin Trapp. The shotstopper made a total of nine saves across both legs, more than any other goalkeeper, to return a WhoScored rating of 7.70. 

 

Right-back: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal) - 7.18 rating 

 

The first of four Arsenal players to make the grade in this XI, Ainsley Maitland-Niles was a solid performer in the Gunners’ 7-3 aggregate win over Valencia. He provided the assist for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s second and Arsenal’s third in Spain on Thursday night, with his assist coming from one of three key passes over both legs, while five successful dribbles, three interceptions and two tackles returned a WhoScored rating of 7.18. 

 

Centre-back: David Luiz (Chelsea) - 7.35 rating 

 

Chelsea are the dominant side in this XI with David Luiz the first of five Blues representatives to make the cut. The Brazilian earned an average WhoScored rating of 7.35 over Chelsea’s two meetings with Eintracht Frankfurt as he won five aerial duels, made nine clearances and two tackles, and made 10 accurate long balls to feature. 

 

Centre-back: Martin Hinteregger (Eintracht) - 7.04 rating 

 

He may have missed a decisive penalty in Eintracht’s shootout defeat, but Martin Hinteregger was still an impressive performance for the German side over the two legs. His WhoScored rating was a respectable 7.04 as he made 11 clearances, seven interceptions and six tackles. 

 

Left-back: Sead Kolasinac (Arsenal) - 7.16 rating 

 

Featuring on the opposite flank to Maitland-Niles, Sead Kolasinac rounds off the defence with a WhoScored rating of 7.16. The Bosnian wasn’t at his bombarding best against Valencia, but was solid defensively as he chipped in with five interceptions and three tackles. 

 

Europa League semi-final best XI: Arsenal strike duo star

 

Right midfield: Pedro (Chelsea) - 7.04 rating 

 

Pedro’s scored four goals in the Europa League this season, the most recent of which was a crucial equaliser in Germany. The Spaniard netted with one of his five shots across both legs and he made an additional five key passes and three successful dribbles to return a WhoScored rating of 7.04. 

 

Central midfield: Jorginho (Chelsea) - 7.37 rating 

 

He may have come in for some stick in his debut season with Chelsea, but Jorginho’s ball retention qualities were crucial against Eintracht. Indeed, he made more passes (164) than any other player in the Europa League semi-finals. He created three goalscoring chances in the two games, while off the ball, the Italian impressed too as he made six tackles and three interceptions to return a WhoScored rating of 7.37. 

 

Central midfield: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea) - 8.06 rating 

 

Partnering Jorginho in midfield is England international Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The 23-year-old continues to go from strength to strength having finally been handed a chance to showcase his talent under Maurizio Sarri. He had a direct hand in both of Chelsea’s goals against Eintracht, providing the assist for Pedro’s strike in Germany, and netting in the return leg, with those coming from respective returns of three key passes and five shots. Loftus-Cheek completed more dribbles (11) than any other player in the semi-final games and makes the cut with a fine WhoScored rating of 8.06. 

 

Left midfield: Eden Hazard (Chelsea) - 7.71 rating 

 

Rounding off the Blues contingent and ensuring an all-Chelsea midfield, Eden Hazard made just his third Europa League start of the season on Thursday night and put in a man of the match performance as he provided the assist for Loftus-Cheek’s goal. All in all, the Belgian made more key passes (7) than any other player in the semi-final matches to help gain a WhoScored rating of 7.71. 

 

 

Striker: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) - 9.08 rating 

 

With a WhoScored rating of 9.08, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was unlucky not to be named our player of the round. He landed a perfect 10 in Arsenal’s 4-2 win in Valencia as he bagged a hat-trick at the Mestalla. The Gabon star had a direct hand in five of the seven goals the Gunners scored, netting four and assisting one from nine shots and three key passes, respectively, as Aubameyang again excelled. 

 

Striker: Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal) - 9.14 rating 

 

Pipping Aubameyang to top spot in the player ratings is teammate Alexandre Lacazette. The Frenchman scored three and assisted one against Valencia from respective returns of eight shots and three key passes. Additionally, Lacazette made four successful dribbles, two tackles and one interception to earn our player of the round award with a WhoScored rating of 9.14.

Europa League semi-final best XI: Arsenal strike duo star