Coquelin: "As long as we don't concede, we can go through at any time"

Francis Coquelin missed the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semifinal against Arsenal through suspension, and was unable to feature at his former stomping ground of the Emirates. The ex-Gunner will be available for Thursday's second leg, however, and he spoke in a press conference earlier in the week.

Belief in the comeback
"I think that the team are here to mount a comeback. The away goal in the 3-1 defeat helps us, but we know a difficult game awaits us. However, with the quality this team have, of course we believe in the comeback."

The importance of the fans
"I think that the fans always help us a lot at home. They did so against Getafe in a very difficult Copa del Rey game, in which we made a spectacular fightback. The entire team are ready to do the same on Thursday, against a side who are very strong. We all believe thaat we can do it, and I think that we can. We have a good enough side to compete, and we always have against big sides this season. We're going to do so again at Mestalla, in front of our supporters -who always help us."

The approach to the game
"I'm sure that we'll try to start the game very strong, but it's a very long game. We saw that against Getafe, when we managed to score two goals in the final minutes. As long as we don't concede goals, we have the opportunity to go through at any moment."

Valencia CF's ability to stop strong strikers
"We have always competed against great strikers, all season. We've played against Juventus and against Manchester United, and the team always compete. We kept a clean sheet against Manchester United and only conceded once against Juventus, and I have complete confidence in our defence and in our entire team."

Lacazette
"Lacazette is a top striker with a lot of quality, who can score a goal at any time. He is a great forward, but on Thursday we will try to ensure that he doesn't score.

"Away from home, Arsenal are a different side, who lower their intensity slightly, and we could have scored another goal in London. We can do damage with the attack we have and we will try to do that, to get to a European final that would be very special for the club and the entire squad."

Missing the first leg at the Emirates
"Of course, I was a little angry about missing out, but more because I couldn't help the team than because I wasn't able to play at the Emirates. It's special to play against Arsenal, especially after missing the first leg, but it would also be a special feeling to beat them to reach the final of the UEFA Europa League, and make a little more history at Valencia CF."