Emery: "Returning to Mestalla is extraordinary for me"

Thursday night's UEFA Europa League game will be the sixth time that Unai Emery visits Mestalla as an opposition coach. He has lost his last four, although a 3-1 defeat in the 2014 edition of the competition was enough to take his Sevilla side through to the final. This latest trip to the stadium comes as Arsenal coach, and he spoke in the press room on Wednesday.

The game
"After the first game, we are still 50% there. The result hasn't changed and it is going to be a very difficult game. We have some previous examples, not just that of Anfield on Tuesday but also from the past. We are going to play with all of our motivation and our preparation has to be good."

Strategy
"Our idea is to play to win. If you want to win, then you have to score. They have a very strong defence, but they need to score. They have a good attack, with many combinations and chances to score tomorrow. Our idea is to apply ourselves both in attack and in defence. Above all, we have to be ourselves. There may be moments to attack and to defend, and we need to have a perfect game."

Valencia
"I made a lot of friends here. I have some very good memories of this city. Valencia CF are a wonderful club and have a stupendous coach. The past is another factor and I have good memories and friends here. Coming back to Mestalla is extraordinary for me."

The reception
"The fans are going to be behind their team and not focused on me. I will be concentrating on my team as well. You have to know how to react to both positive and negative moments. We need to get things right in attack and defence, and be able to handle our emotions."