Unai Emery returns to familiar surroundings for a decisive semi-final on Thursday night.
Our head coach spent four years in charge of Valencia between 2008 and 2012, leading them to one sixth and three third-placed finishes in La Liga, and appearing in the Europa League semi-final in his final season.
Emery admitted it will be special to return to the imposing, 50-000 capacity Mestalla.
“Yes, it’s very special, to come back here after training here for four years,” he said.
“Each match is special because I have a lot of friends here but I am professional and tomorrow I am defending the Arsenal team.
“We are the opposition tomorrow and I am going to give my all for my team, for Arsenal, but also knowing that here it is going to be very difficult and here they have a very big history and are a very big club.”
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