Parejo: "The tie will be 50-50 and details will have a big effect"

Upon arrival in London, Valencia CF captain Dani Parejo attended a pre-match press conference at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium. Before talking about the massive UEFA Europa League semifinal first leg against the Gunners, Parejo first sent his best wishes to Iker Casillas -the former Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper who sufered a heart attack earlier on Wednesday.

Casillas
"I want to offer him all of my support and all of my and the squad's affection. News like this is very saddening for everyone. I have a been a teammate of his and shared a dressing room with him, and I'm sending him and his family my best wishes."

No sense of revenge for Emery eliminating Valencia CF from their last semifinal with Sevilla
"We were 20 or 30 seconds away from playing in a final. Football gives you a chance for revenge, but it's another opportunity to play in a semifinal and be able to reach a European final. What happened is in the past and we shouldn't give too much importance to it."

Arsenal's recent results
"It's true that in recent games things haven't been working our for Arsenal as they would like, but playing in the Premier League has nothing to do with European competitions. They are different competitions. Dynamic and results are important, but I don't think it will be a hinderance for them when it comes to the semifinal."

Arsenal's style
"Arsenal have some very good players, above all going forward: The likes of Aubameyang, Lacazette, Özil…  In terms of their defence, they've let in 9 goals in 3 games, but they have a very complete team with many internationals. The tie will be 50-50 and details will have a big effect."

Advice from the captain
"We have to be aware that the tie lasts 180 minutes. It would be great if everything were decided tomorrow in our favour, but that won't be the case. They are a team with incredible players and the first leg is played at their stadium, where they have showed that they can impose their style. It will be a difficult game, like that at the Wanda against Atletico. I've never played in a final, and if we want to play in a European final in such an historic year for the club, we have to show it tomorrow."

Unai Emery
"I played under him when I was very young. Emery has shown that, wherever he goes, his teams compete and play well. It's going to be a difficult game, because that's what the stats show. I hope we can take a good result."