Arsenal 2 - Valencia 1

Arsenal: Seaman; Dixon, Adams, Keown, Cole; Pires, Vieira, Parlour, Ljungberg (Wiltord 46'); Kanu (Lauren 83'), Henry. 4-4-2.
Valencia: Cañizares; Angloma, Ayala, Pellegrino, Carboni; Mendieta (Vicente 89'), Baraja, Aimar (Angulo 68'), Kily González; Juan Sánchez, Carew. 4-4-2.

Goals:
0-1. 41. Ayala. Volleyed into net after Mendieta's cross headed up into air.
1-1. 58. Henry. Turned on to back-heel pass by Pires and shot across keeper.
2-1. 60. Parlour. Got free of Pellegrino and beat Cañizares from outside of area.

An away goal by Ayala was worth its weight in gold in this first leg tie, even though Valencia lost the game in the end by two goals to one. It was a hard fought match, with both sides creating numerous chances with open flowing football. The early pressure came from Arsenal, and Vieira headed against the bar with a quarter of an hour gone. However Kily González had already tested Seaman at the other end, and the Argentinian winger got free of his marker later on but couldn't capitalise fully, Sánchez also shooting into the side netting as the ball fell to him later in the same move.

Ten minutes later Carew too got free in front of goal, but he shot straight at Seaman and then against the post in the follow up. But Valencia did take the lead before the break, Ayala volleying the ball home from close range after Mendieta's cross was headed up in the air by the defence. Wenger changed his tactics at half time, putting on a third forward Wiltord, and he started the move which ended in Henry's equaliser, Pires cleverly back-heeling the loose ball through to the French striker for him to turn and score. Before Valencia had time to regroup they were behind, Ray Parlour picking up the ball in midfield and running on to shoot past Cañizares into the roof of the net from outside of the area.

Arsenal were now running amok, and only a brilliant stop from Agloma prevented Henry from adding a third a few minutes later. The play switched to the other end and Aimar hit a free kick straight at the keeper, but in the following move Cañizares had to be at his best to keep out Henry with his feet. Cúper took off a tired Aimar, but Angulo was no replacement and Valencia gave up any pretentions of attack. The result was good enough for Cúper, and a one goal victory will be enough to see Valencia through to the semi-finals for the second year running. It all hangs on a knife edge right now.