Petr Cech leads Arsenal to Spain hoping to crown his illustrious career with the club’s first European trophy in 25 years.
The Gunners head to the Mestalla to face Valencia, holding a 3-1 lead from last week’s Europa League semi-final first leg.
But Unai Emery’s men flew out from Luton Airport on Wednesday morning as a team under-fire,.
That is not just because of the weekend’s 1-1 draw with Brighton which ensured that they cannot finish in the Premier League’s top four.
But also because of a dismal recent domestic run, and the fact that they have conceded three times in each of their last two away fixtures - at Wolves and Leicester respectively.
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A repeat on Thursday night would not only cost them their place in this month’s final in Baku, but also their last chance at a spot in next year’s Champions League - not to mention the end of Petr Cech’s playing days.
The ex-Czech international has been second choice to Bernd Leno this term, and the German will play against Burnley at Turf Moor on the final day of the Premier League season.
Thus if worst comes to worst against Emery’s former side, it could be the final appearance of the 36-year-old’s career.
Cech is still optimistic of an emotional final meeting with former side Chelsea in Azerbaijan, and the chance of one final piece of silverware.
"I wish that we could have won the [Brighton] game and finished the season at home on a high," said Cech.
"We put ourselves in a good position to play until the last game of the season for a chance of the Champions League, but obviously we didn't manage to do that, so it's mixed feelings for me.
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"I'm sad on one side because my journey here is over, but we still have hopefully three weeks to go until Baku. We need to pick ourselves up and get ready for Thursday because this is most important.
"I have to say I'm very grateful to everyone because I came from a rival club and everyone accepted me.
"I've always believed that if you work for the team and work hard, then you'll give everything for the shirt. Hopefully I've done that.
"I have to say that I hope my last game will be in Baku. That would be the best thing.
"I want to progress to the final and lift one last trophy. I think everybody at Arsenal deserves that, so I hope we can make it."
They'll have to be the Arsenal of Naples, rather than that which left either side of the Midlands pointless, to make it so.
