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Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Valencia reveal squad for crucial Arsenal Europa League tie - and there's three major absentees

The Valencia squad for their Europa League semi-final first-leg against Arsenal has been revealed - and there's one big absentee.

As noted last month, former Gunners midfielder Francis Coquelin will miss a reunion at the Emirates Stadium through suspension as he was booked against Villarreal in the quarter-final second leg for handball .

That's his third yellow card in European competition this season and was two minutes away from being available at the Emirates as bookings were wiped out before the semi-final stage.

Barring he picks up an injury between now and next Thursday, Coquelin will be available for the second leg at the Mestalla.

One player who could line up against his former club is central defender Gabriel Paulista and he's already warned the Gunners about making history with the La Liga outfit at their expense.

"Playing with Arsenal FC was an incredible experience that I will never forget," he told the club's official website. "I want to be in the history of Valencia CF.

"It is the year of the Centennial and in 100 years I want you to remember that Gabriel Paulista won the Europa League with Valencia CF.

"We must go step by step.

"I like this kind of matches, this kind of pressure playing against teams like Arsenal FC. I'm ready to do a good job and help this club get as far as possible.

"First you have to be very focused on the game, defend very well and then have personality with the ball, play and try to score a goal.

"Surely we are going to mark. We have to run, die and win to reach this final."

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The travelling squad includes Jose Gaya - linked with a move to the Emirates in the past - former Bolton forward Rodrigo Moreno and the in-form Goncalo Guedes who has netted six goals in his last eight appearances.

Denis Cheryshev and Geoffrey Kondogbia are both missing because of injury and aren't expected to be available next week or for the final on May 29 if Los Che are able to overcome the north London outfit.

Here is the confirmed Valencia squad via the club's official Twitter account.

Goalkeepers: Domenech, Neto, Cristian

Defenders: Roncaglia, Gabriel Paulista, Diakhaby, Gaya, Lato, Piccini, Garay

Midfielders: Guedes, Soler, Parejo, Wass, Ferran

Forwards: Gameiro, Rodrigo, Mina, Sobrino

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