Arsenal Vs Valencia: Liverpool is a warning, a big warning

In one of the greatest European comebacks in recent history, Liverpool beat Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate in the Champions League semi-final. It should serve as a major warning for Arsenal as they prepare to take on Valencia in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final with a commanding lead themselves.

As soon as Divock Origi turned in Jordan Henderson’s low shot after Marc-Andre ter Stegen failed to turn the ball clear of the danger area, it was on. And all of Anfield knew it.

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At 3-1 down, I am not sure how many expected Liverpool to come roaring back from a 3-0 first-leg deficit without two of their starting front three, but you could sense the magic in the air. Something was happening.

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For Barcelona, what transpired was a disaster. Four goals conceded, the last of which came from completely switching off at a corner kick which Trent Alexander-Arnold, in a moment of genius, decided to take quickly, finding Origi on the edge of the six-yard box for his second of the game. This was a capitulation of the highest order, something that this Barcelona team is becoming known for.

They are not the only team renowned for their inability to win games, to defend leads, to show mental resolve and desire. Sadly, Arsenal are built very much in the Barcelona mould. Technically gifted, lovely to watch when everything clicks, but an underlying softness that consistently and frequently scuppers them when it matters most. Just like Barca, during the crunch time of the season, the Gunners’ defence fell to pieces. The most damning indictment of Tuesday’s loss is that you could very easily envisage Arsenal doing the same thing, the last goal especially.

Unai Emery, in the aftermath of Liverpool’s remarkable comeback, now leads his team into a very comparable second-leg situation to that of Barcelona. His team travels to the Mestalla on Thursday night to face Valencia in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final with the Spaniards.

They have a 3-1 lead from the first leg after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s late goal sealed the victory. It is not as commanding a lead as the one Barcelona attempted to defend at Anfield, but it is still a substantial advantage. Should Arsenal score once on Thursday, Valencia will have to score three just to take the contest to extra time.

But as Liverpool’s shocking demolition of arguably the best team in Europe proves, anything can happen in football. That seems to only be truer for second-leg matches in the Champions League and Europa League. These games tend to incite a drama and delirium that other football games do not quite capture, for whatever reason.

Therefore, while Arsenal should enter Thursday’s second leg confident of victory, they cannot be complacent. The tie is not won just yet. There is still a lot of work to be done, as Liverpool and Barcelona illustrated so sensationally.