Europa League Decider: Emery includes Iwobi in Arsenal squad to face Valencia

Arsenal forward, Alex Iwobi is on the trip to Spain for Thursday’s Europa League semi final decider against Valencia.

The Nigerian who flew out with the rest of his teammates from the Luton Airport this morning was the second player listed in the 21-man squad announced by manager, Unai Emery ahead of the trip.

Having failed to make the starting line up in the first leg last Thursday, Iwobi will be hoping he is considered tomorrow evening as the Gunners head into the match with a 3-1 advantage.

Interestingly, Iwobi is the only player of Nigeria descent in the squad as Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, defenders Tolaji Bola, Joseph Olowu, Tobi Omole, and wingers Xavier Amaechi and Bukayo Saka have all been dropped by Emery.

Thursday’s fixture against Valencia will be latest in a hectic fixture schedule for the Gunners in the past month and while their Premier League form has suffered, they’ve been impressive in Europe.

In the semi-final first-leg last week, the La Liga outfit took the lead and could have scored one or two more before Alexandre Lacazette turned the game on its head with a brace before half-time.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made it 3-1 late on and that goal could be crucial as it means Valencia must score two without reply in order to progress to the final.

However, a goal for the Gunners and Los Che would need to score at least three to take the tie into extra-time and four to reach this month’s final in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Read Also; Winning Europa cup would be historic – Iwobi

Unai Emery, who won the Europa League three times in a row while in charge of Sevilla, has always maintained he will take this season’s competition seriously and he has certainly named a strong squad for the Valencia game.