Arsenal wary of 'difficult' Valencia trip despite 3-1 first leg advantage
Unai Emery expects a difficult second leg in Valencia despite the Gunners travelling to Spain with a 3-1 lead in the Europa League semi final.
A brace from Alexandre Lacazette and last minute volley from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw the Gunners fight back from a goal down to take a healthy advantage back to the Mestalla next week.
Despite the win, the Arsenal manager is wary of the return match against his former club.
“Generally after the first leg we can be happy, we can be proud of the player,” Emery said after the win.
“With the same passion we prepared for the first leg, we will prepare for the second leg because we know it's going to be very difficult.”
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Arsenal got off to a bad start on the night, conceding after just ten minutes when Mouctar Diakhaby headed home from close range.
“We conceded the first goal but our response was good,” Emery added. “At set pieces they are very strong, we struggled and they scored from a corner.”
“For us we continue to work and try and improve and do better.”
Lacazette, the Gunners’ two-goal hero on the night, echoed his manager’s concerns.
“At the moment we concede too many goals from set pieces so we have to be careful in the second leg.
“But the team showed good character. We reacted well.”
The Frenchman also revealed the North London side are fully motivated to go on and win the competition.
“We want to play in the Champions League, if we win we go straight in.
“But also, it’s a trophy for the club so we want to win it.”
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