Arsenal welcome Valencia to the Emirates Stadium for the first leg of their Europa League Semi-Final.
With Chelsea or Eintracht Frankfurt awaiting the winner in the final, this is a huge opportunity for both teams to take a step closer towards a place in Baku and a shot at a place in next season’s Champions League – which looks unlikely via their domestic leagues.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesArsenal could welcome Nacho Monreal back from a calf injury if he passes a late fitness test.
Aaron Ramsey meanwhile has played his final game in an Arsenal shirt due to a hamstring injury, which he suffered in the second leg of the Gunners’ Quarter-Final victory over Napoli.
Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding (both knee), Denis Suarez (groin) and Danny Welbeck (ankle) are still sidelined.
Francis Coquelin won’t feature for Valencia against his former team after picking up his third yellow card of this season in UEFA competitions.
Denis Cheryshev (knee) and Geoffrey Kondogbia (muscle) are both ruled out for the Los Ches.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal have won just one of five previous meetings with Valencia (W1, D1, L3).
- The Gunners however are yet to lose at home to Valencia (W1, D1).
- Two of last four meetings have been won 2-1 by the home team in those clashes.
- Arsenal have lost each of their last two semi-finals in UEFA competitions since finishing as Champions League runner-up to Barcelona in 2005-06 season.
- If Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang scores here, he will be the first Arsenal player to net five goals in this competition, which will be more than the highest that any Gunner scored during last season.
Prediction
Given Arsenal’s poor away form not just against Valencia but in general, this is an absolute must win if they want to reach the final.
Valencia meanwhile can be a tough team to get past but like Arsenal, they are not in fine form at the minute, so wouldn’t be surprised if we get either an all out thriller or dull affair here.
Arsenal’s best hope of a Champions League spot next season however lies in this competition, so I am going for a narrow home win here.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-0 Valencia
Result: Arsenal 3-1 Valencia