Valencia vs Arsenal (1–3): Emery’s Europa League pedigree crucial to Gunners trophy ambitions
Tonight, Arsenal can do what they came so agonisingly close to doing last season: reach the final of the Europa League.
Losing to Atletico Madrid over two legs last season, the Arsenal side that faces Valencia at the Mestalla — leading 3–1 on aggregate — is a very different beast. For one, they have a storied Europa League winner at the helm in Unai Emery.
Here is everything you need to know about this Europa League second-leg tie.
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KEY POINTS
Taking their two-goal cushion to Spain for the second-leg thanks to Alexandre Lacazette’s double and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s late strike, the Gunners are within touching distance of the final in Baku.
Head coach Emery though will be demanding an improved Arsenal effort tonight though after their disappointing 1–1 draw with Brighton on Sunday. It’s a result that bears a heavy toll on the Gunners, who have all-but missed out on a top-four place in the Premier League as a result.
However, their Champions League dream is not over just yet. Winning the Europa League will guarantee them a place in next season’s competition, but they must overcome their poor form against Spanish opposition, winning just 10 of 33 matches in UEFA competitions.
Emery could be Arsenal’s lucky charm this time around, however. Including finals, the Arsenal manager has won his past 18 Europa League knockout ties, last being eliminated from the competition in the 2011/12 semi-finals — coincidentally then head coach of Valencia. So, there is plenty reason for Gunners fans to be positive.
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THE KEY PLAYERS
Alexandre Lacazette
Not only is he Arsenal’s player of the season, but Lacazette’s goals in the first-leg could prove invaluable to his side’s hopes for silverware this season. Those two strikes at the Emirates were his fourth of the competition and 18 this season — only the club’s top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has more. In fact, the Frenchman has scored eight goals in his last 10 Europa League knockout stage games.
Laurent Koscielny
Arsenal’s captain, Arsenal’s rock. The Gunners have missed their skipper at times this season, who has managed only 16 Premier League appearances due to a severe injury to his Achilles tendon. Koscielny is in line to start in Spain tonight, and it is clear a commanding presence in the back line for Arsenal will be key to keeping their hosts out and preserving their place in the final.
Granit Xhaka
And while attack and defence will both play key parts to success for Arsenal, winning the midfield battle will be central to their chances of progression. With former Gunner Francis Cocquelin lining up against them, Emery will look to Xhaka — an ever-present in the Arsenal midfield — to keep matters under control. The battling Swiss midfielder has missed just one of Arsenal’s knock-out matches this season, picking up three assists along the way as well. Emery will need more of the same from Xhaka tonight.
TEAM NEWS
For the Gunners there are no new injury concerns. Aaron Ramsey, Danny Welbeck, Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin and loanee Denis Suarez are all out for the remainder of the season.
Petr Cech will play in goal as he has done throughout the tournament — deputising for Bernd Leno.
PREDICTION
This will undoubtedly be a tough night for Arsenal, who will likely face a bombardment from their hosts. But that pressure should give them enough space to counter-attack and do the damage on Valencia. Arsenal to progress with a 2–1 victory (5–2 on aggregate).
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