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Football London
Football London
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Marcelino on what impressed him most about Arsenal and where Valencia can hurt them in decider

It is still all to play for in the Europa League semi-final between Arsenal and Valencia.

The Gunners hold the advantage from the first-leg thanks to a brace from Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's late strike which made it 3-1 and that could be the difference maker between the two sides.

Los Che boss Marcelino admits he was impressed with how ruthless the north London outfit were, but has warned Unai Emery and Co that the second leg at the Mestalla will be a different prospect.

Alexandre Lacazette announces himself among Europe's elite - now Arsenal must join him there  

"The result has been excessive," he told reporters after the game. "They [Arsenal] have been very decisive.

"They had more success and effectiveness, we hope to have that little bit of luck and success in the return.

"In the 90th minute we had a very good result, not the best, but in an isolated action it came to 3-1.

"In many phases we had the control and we held Arsenal. I, from the bench, did not see my team in trouble. We adapted well to the system.

"We scored a goal away from home and at Mestalla we can hurt them. The tie is not decided and with our people we are going to make things difficult for Arsenal.

"It puts us in a more complicated situation, but in no case takes away from our minds that we can go to the final, this helps us to believe in ourselves and to believe that we can win."

Arsenal have missed out on Champions League in their last two campaigns and are hoping to return to Europe's most elite club competition for next season by either by finishing in the top four in the Premier League or by lifting the Europa League.

They trail Chelsea by two points in the league and that situation is no longer in their hands.

But at least two goals in Spain would leave the hosts needing to score five, although should Valencia mirror the first-leg score after 90 minutes that will force extra-time with the possibility of penalties.

Arsenal legend tells Unai Emery the three changes he must make to book Europa League final place

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