Arsenal gunning for the Champions League
Arsenal travel to the south east of Spain looking to book a ticket to the Europa League final. Valencia managed to snatch a goal in the last leg meaning that they still have a good chance of advancing. Will Valencia take inspiration from this week's crazy CL turnarounds or will Arsenal close this tie up?
Valencia
Marcelino's men should be in good spirits after a 6-2 battering of Huesca away from home despite having lost the 3 games before that because, in all fairness, the defeats include games away to Atetlico Madrid and Arsenal which should not be read into all too much.
Valencia have a very mixed record at the Mestalla having won 6, drawing 10 and losing 2 of their games in the league thus far which is not actually as bad as it spontaneously looks. However, Arsenal have so far thrived in the Europa League which was perfectly showcased during their away win to Napoli back in the quarter finals meaning that Valencia will have to come up with a massive performance in order to knock the Gunners out.
However, as we saw with Liverpool against Barcelona, anything is possible and given that Arsenal's defence can be extremely hit or miss Valencia still have a very good chance of advancing.
Notable absentees
Cheryshev, Kondogbia and Lee-Kang In.
Arsenal
During the last leg at the Emirates Arsenal had forgotten they were actually playing a game resulting in a Valencia goal within the 12 first minutes of play which did not really come as a shock seeing how lackadaisical Arsenal's defence can be at times. Luckily for the Londoners the goal served as a wakeup call and what they produced after that was at times highly impressive, Aubameyang and Lacazette terrorised the Valencia defence as well as Arsenal's backline proving that they too, at times, can not mess everything up.
The slower pace of the Europa League compared to the Prem plays into Arsenals hands perfectly meaning that players like Xhaka get more time on the ball and can then provide pinpoint passes or long range cannons on goal resulting in a lot of created chances which one of Arsenal's 2 front men will eventually score.
Arsenal's win at Napoli during the last round proved a host of things, that they are not as useless as their recent league outings suggest, their defence can do it, if they actually concentrate and that winning the Europa League is the only way for the men in red to qualify for next years Champions League meaning that a lot is at stake here.
Fans will be hoping for a similar performance to what they showcased at Napoli and i expect Arsenal to show some true grit and determination as this is the only thing stopping them from having a very mediocre season.
Notable absentees
Bellerin, Suarez, Welbz, Ramsey and Holding.
Betting tip
Given how dominant Arsenal have been in the Europa League i don't see them losing here which is why i will be backing a Draw or Arsenal win at 17/20 with Bet365.
