Valencia’s Cristiano Piccini is a doubt ahead of his team’s match against Arsenal on Thursday, as he struggles from an injury that recently left him hospitalised.

Piccini joined Valencia from Sporting CP last summer, and he’s played a key role in their side ever since, appearing 33 times for his new club this season.

Valencia lost five of those 33 matches, versus six of the 22 without him, so it seems they do better when he’s available. That’s particularly true in Europe, where they haven’t lost with him in the side.

Unfortunately, Piccini recently suffered a heavy impact to the kidney area that left him hospitalised and under observation after the derby against Levante. The injury kept him out of matches against Real Betis, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal, and then just as he seemed close to returning against Eibar, he suffered another setback.

The player rejoined the group on Monday, but Marca fear it may be too soon to feature against Arsenal on Thursday.

It’s not Piccini’s first injury of the campaign, as he suffered muscle injuries in October, January, February and March. It’s a shame for him and Valencia, considering his positive performances when available. Arsenal will certainly try and take advantage of the absence if he doesn’t make it back in time for the semi-final first leg.