Valencia manager, Marcelino has insisted the pressure will be on Arsenal when his side take on the Gunners in the Europa League semi-finals.
Valencia made it to the semi-finals of the Europa League by beating LaLiga rivals Villarreal on Thursday.
They now set up a clash with the Premier League giants. Toni Lato and Dani Parejo were on target for Los Che as they beat Villarreal 2-0 on Thursday night to secure a comfortable 5-1 aggregate success in the last eight.
The Valencia boss had been less than impressed by his side’s showing in the first leg, but was rewarded by a dominant display at Mestalla.
They now face Arsenal who are led by three-time Europa League winner and former Valencia boss Unai Emery.
However, Marcelino maintained that the Premier League side must be considered as the favourites.
“Arsenal fight to get into the Champions League, with a coach who knows us perfectly, they are one of the favourites,” Marcelino told a news conference.
“But anything can happen in the semi-finals. At the same time, [the final in] Baku is a long way away.”
Valencia endured a difficult start to the campaign, but Marcelino’s side sit just three points off the top four in LaLiga, with a Copa del Rey final against Barcelona to come.
“We are proud of the performances of the squad, we are in a semi-final and in a final, and we are one win away from fourth,” Marcelino added.
“Winning in Seville [against Real Betis on Sunday] would put us in a very good situation.”
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