Granit Xhaka interview: Arsenal midfielder on facing Chelsea in Europa League final

EXCLUSIVE

Granit Xhaka has revealed how the Arsenal players watched Chelsea's penalty shoot-out win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the away dressing room at the Mestalla.

A hat-trick from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fired Arsenal to a 4-2 (7-3 aggregate) win over Valencia but, while the Gunners players celebrated reaching the Europa League final, their opponents were still to be determined as Chelsea's semi-final second-leg clash with Frankfurt had ended 1-1 after normal time at Stamford Bridge.

After extra-time produced no further goals, the Blues eventually triumphed 4-3 on penalties to set up an all-London Europa League final against Arsenal in Baku.

Xhaka told Standard Sport: "We know Chelsea really well, we saw the last 20 minutes [of their game].

"We have to be ready for the final. We hope we can take the trophy."

Chelsea beat the Gunners 3-2 in the Premier League earlier on in the season before Unai Emery's side ran out 2-0 winners at the Emirates Stadium in January.

Watch the video above to see Xhaka exclusively speak to Standard Sport about the Europa League final, winning the trophy for Petr Cech, the raucous atmosphere at the Mestalla and the importance of Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette to the Gunners.

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