Semi-finals of the Europa League: "We can hurt them" – Marcelino convinced that Valencia can cancel the result of the first leg

Marcelino believes Valencia have the ability to "hurt" Arsenal in the second leg, despite a 3-1 record in their Europa League semifinal match.

Valencia took early lead in the first leg at Emirates Stadium on Thursday thanks to a close header from defender Mouctar Diakhaby.

But less than 14 minutes later, Arsenal was in the lead, with Alexandre Lacazette scoring both goals before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a third goal.

Former Valencia head coach Unai Emery sees his team taking a decent cushion in his former club for next Thursday's return.

Despite Valencia's semi-final position, Marcelino remains confident in his return.

"The result was excessive," he said. "They [Arsenal] were very decisive.

"They have had more success and efficiency, we hope to have this little luck and success in the return.

"In the 90th minute, we had a very good result, not the best, but in an isolated action it went to 3-1.

"In many phases we had control and we controlled Arsenal, but I did not see my team on the bench, and we adjusted well to the system.

"We have scored a goal outside the house and in Mestalla we can hurt them, the draw is not decided and with our staff we will make things difficult for Arsenal.

"It puts us in a more complicated situation, but we can not forget that we can go to the finals, it helps us to believe in ourselves and to believe that we can win."

Both sides will have to return to domestic issues before the return leg in Spain next Thursday.

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The Gunners will face Brighton at home on Sunday, as they seek to overtake Chelsea to rank among the top four spots in the Premier League.

Valencia also hopes to rank among the top four in the Spanish standings, even if it is three points behind Getafe, while there are only three games to play in La Liga.

Marcelino's team is also ready to face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final at the end of May, as they continue to win two trophies.