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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
JOE KRISHNAN

Arsenal beware! Valencia on the warpath as they hit Huesca for six ahead of Europa League semi-final

Arsenal could be in for a nervy second leg in the Europa League semi-final after their opponents Valencia thumped struggling Huesca 6-2 in La Liga.

Los Che were 4-0 up inside the first half an hour after a double from Santi Mina, plus goals from Rodrigo and Daniel Wass.

An own goal from Huesca's Xabier Etxeita and a second of the night for Rodrigo piled more misery on the Spanish minnows, before Gonzalo Melero's consolation in the second half.

It helps Valencia move closer to catching Getafe in the race for the final Champions League spot, with Marcelino's side now just three points behind with two games remaining.

Arsenal appear to have one foot in the Europa League final in Baku, which takes place on May 29, after a 3-1 win at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg.

Arsenal won the first leg 3-1 in north London. (PA)

A double from Alexandre Lacazette and a late strike from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang means the Spanish side have it all to do at the Mestalla on Thursday.

But Unai Emery's side stuttered to a 1-1 draw against Brighton on Sunday, leaving them out of the reckoning for a top four finish in the Premier League.

Their only realistic chance of qualifying for Europe's premier competition is by winning the Europa League - and they may have to beat Chelsea in order to do so.

After resting key players such as Rodrigo and Goncalo Guedes ahead of the second leg, Valencia will be brimming with confidence following their biggest victory of the season.

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