Europa League - Who will be playing in the Final?

Arsenal vs Valencia

The first matchup we will be looking at is Arsenal vs Valencia. Arsenal have been in terrible form domestically having lost their last three matches. However, their form in the Europa league has been impressive. They defeated a strong Napoli side with ease in the previous round of the competition. The competition does not get easier for the Gunners though, in this round they will face a tough Valencia team that is full of belief. There will also be added pressure for Arsenal, as their most likely route back to the Champions league would now seem like the Europa league.

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In injury news, Arsenal received a boost by learning that Mesut Özil and Nacho Monreal will both be fit for the first leg of the competition. However, they have also found out that Aaron Ramsey will no longer be available to the team for the remainder of the season.

For Valencia, they will look to exploit Arsenal`s back line. The Gunners defence has been horrible all season long, especially away from home. Valencia must look to use their speed on the counter-attack, as this will allow them to catch the Arsenal defence scattered and out of position. Valencia will also have two former Arsenal squad members that will be starting for them in Francis Coquelin and Gabriel Paulista.

Valencia are a strong side however Arsenal should be clear favorites. It would be an upset if Valencia were to manage to reach the Final.

Chelsea vs Frankfurt

Chelsea will face Frankfurt to determine the second finalist of the competition. Chelsea are the vastly superior team with the superior talent however, they have not always shown it with poor performances on the field throughout the season. This will be Chelsea`s most difficult test of the competition as they have had a relatively easy path to the semi-final stage. It is now up to Chelsea to prove that they are the team to beat in this competition by putting forward two dominant performances and advancing to the Final.

Frankfurt on the other hand are very much having a dream season. They are in the semi-finals of a major European competition and they currently sit in fourth in the Bundesliga, which is a Champions League position. This team has great resilience as they have proved already by coming back from a two-goal deficit in the previous round against Benfica. The round before Benfica, they secured a 1-0 upset over two legs against Inter-Milan. This team has shown its class already and they will be looking to upset the Blues and make it to a European cup final.

For this tie, I am leaning toward Frankfurt. Even though there is a large disparity in talent, Chelsea have been too unreliable this season to be trusted. Frankfurt will complete the major upset and face Arsenal in the Europa League Final.