Arsenal vs Valencia Predictions: Arsenal FC Line-up

Arsenal head into the second leg of their Europa League semi-final with Valencia on Thursday knowing that they need to win this competition in order to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

The Gunners hold an advantage over the Spanish outfit, courtesy of a 3-1 victory at the Emirates last week.

Unai Emery’s men will enter the match off the back of a hugely disappointing result at the weekend, though, with a 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League all but ending their hopes of finishing in the top four.

Team News

Emery has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the game against Valencia.

Probable Arsenal XI

Formation: 3-4-1-2

Manager: Unai Emery

Petr Cech (GK)

Cech has been the Gunners’ primary goalkeeper for cup competitions this season and the veteran will aim to keep a clean sheet on Thursday.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles (RWB)

Maitland-Niles has impressed down the right following Bellerin’s injury and he is set to keep his place in the team.

Shkodran Mustafi (RCB)

Mustafi’s season has been blighted by errors and injury problems. He’ll look to help Arsenal keep a clean sheet at Valencia.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos (CB)

The Greek international has been Arsenal’s best defender by a country mile this season and he’ll have to be at his best to help his team qualify for Europa League finals.

Laurent Koscielny (LCB)

A real leader, Koscielny will have to marshal his troops well at the Mestalla Stadium on Thursday.

Sead Kolasinac (LWB)

Kolasinac was solid in the first leg against Valencia and he’ll be confident to replicate his form in Spain.

Granit Xhaka (CM)

Xhaka was poor in the 1-1 draw with Brighton in the Premier League. However, he’ll look to redeem himself with a strong performance at the Mestalla Stadium.

Lucas Torreira (CM)

Partnering Xhaka could be Lucas Torreira, who will then take the place of Matteo Guendouzi in the middle of the park.

Mesut Ozil (CAM)

Ozil is Arsenal’s creative hub and his presence in the pitch helps the team enjoy a free-flowing brand of football. The German is a certain starter at Valencia.

Alexandre Lacazette (LS)

The Frenchman was brilliant in the first leg, bagging two goals in the 3-1 victory. He’ll be raring to make a mark on Thursday.

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST)

It was Aubameyang’s late goal at the Emirates last week that gave the Gunners a two-goal cushion over the Spanish giants. The Gabonese is expected to start next to Lacazette in the return leg.