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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Alex Richards

Arsenal squad revealed for Europa League semi-final clash in Valencia

Unai Emery leads Arsenal into battle with his former club Valencia on Thursday night seeking his fourth Europa League final.

The Spaniard was a three-time winner during his time with Sevilla, and his Gunners team are in pole position ahead of their semi-final second leg with Los Che.

Goals from Alexandre Lacazette (2) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang handed Arsenal a 3-1 win last week, and a commanding advantage ahead of their meeting at the Mestalla.

But confidence isn't high at the Emirates, after the weekend draw with Brighton which all but ensured there will be no top four finish this term - not to mention the fact they have conceded three in each of their last two away matches.

Lacazette did the business in the first leg (AFP/Getty Images)

Petr Cech issues Arsenal rallying cry as he seeks to extend career in Valencia

However, Emery's men produced a stellar away display in the last round to see off Italian side Napoli, winning 1-0 in the Stadio San Paolo having won the first leg by two clear goals.

They will be looking for similar again in Spain.

Laurent Koscielny was only fit enough for a place on the bench at the weekend, but he is ready and raring to go; Emery must decided whether to bring him into a back four or revert to three at the back.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who again disappointed at the weekend, has travelled, and so too has Eddie Nketiah, the young striker.

Another youngster, Joe Willock, has also made the trip.

Willock and Nketiah have both made the trip (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Emery's men head to Spain with a 3-1 lead (Shaun Botterill)

Valencia's Kevin Gameiro takes aim at Arsenal ahead of Europa League semi-final

The Gunners will be without Aaron Ramsey again, with the Juventus-bound midfielder's career having been ended by the hamstring injury picked up in the quarter-final win over Napoli in Naples.

Denis Suarez is also out with a groin problem, as are long-term absentees Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding and Danny Welbeck - who is also set to leave the club this summer, when his contract expires.

Arsenal squad

Goalkeepers: Petr Cech, Bernd Leno

Defenders: Stephan Lichtsteiner, Shkodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Nacho Monreal, Sead Kolasinac, Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Midfielders: Lucas Torreira, Granit Xhaka, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mohamed Elneny, Matteo Guendouzi, Mesut Ozil, Alex Iwobi, Joe Willock

Forwards: Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Eddie Nketiah

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