Arbilla: "We can make it to the final"

RCD Espanyol's Anaitz Arbilla (Pamplona, Navarra, 1987) spoke to LFP.es about the upcoming Copa del Rey semi-final second leg with Athletic Club. The Navarre-born defender came through the Athletic youth system, however is optimistic that his side can take the spoils on Wednesday at the Power8 Stadium.

LFP.es: After the first leg ended 1-1, how do you see your chances in the return?
Arbilla: We've got a good dynamic and we have to take advantage of it. Getting the 1-1 was a good result and hopefully with the fans behind us we can get the win, which is our main objective. We want to win and will work as hard as we have done up to now. Victory is fundamental.

LFP.es: You might have won the first leg and you hit the post. Do you have any regrets from the game?
Arbilla: Before the game we’d have definitely taken 1-1 at San Mamés. We knew the Copa is important for Athletic, and that they put you under a lot of pressure at their stadium, and a draw is like having a better result, but we have to forget about that. We are ready to get a win and get to the final.

"1-1 is a good result and with the help of our fans we can get a win"

LFP.es: What role can the fans play?
Arbilla: Hopefully they will push us on like always, and that the stadium will be full and we'll feel their backing. We want Athletic to feel the atmosphere.

LFP.es: What would playing in the Copa del Rey final mean for you and the club?
Arbilla: To be able to fight for the trophy is brilliant. It is something that is hard to achieve. For a humble side, being able to get to the final is enormous and something you’ll remember for your whole life.

LFP.es: For you it must be a special game given that you came through the ranks at the Basque outfit?
Arbilla: Yes, it’s special, but at the end of the day it’s a Copa semi-final. You can’t say that you get to a final everyday. Right now, all friendships are put to one side and I’m focussed on the fact I’m an Espanyol player, we have a semi-final and we will give our all to get to the final.

LFP.es: Will you send any messages to ex-teammates like Beñat Etxebarría or Markel Susaeta?
Arbilla: We often speak about our lives, we are big friends and I’m sure we will speak about the game.

LFP.es: What are Athletic’s main strengths?
Arbilla: They’re not having the best of times. They weren’t happy when they got knocked out of the Europa League, and that will have affected them. We know that Aritz Aduriz is very important for them and the intensity they put into each game is vital. We need to equal, or even better that intensity. I hope that together we can outplay Athletic.

"Aduriz is very important for them and the intensity they put into each game is vital. We need to equal, or even better that intensity"

LFP.es: Espanyol have three goalscorers such as Christian Stuani, Felipe Caicedo and Sergio García. With them is everything easier?
Arbilla: We have the hardest thing to come by in football: goals. We have three natural goalscorers who are showing their worth. In this sense, Sergio García makes the differences; he is a top player. Also Stuani and Caicedo have brought a lot of goals to us, among other things. We are happy with the three and with the side as a whole, given we are doing a good job.

LFP.es: You’re a regular and doing good things in the side. How’s your first year at Espanyol going?
Arbilla: It’s a long season and there’s ups and downs, good moments and bad moments. At the start it wasn’t that good, but now the side and I are in a good moment, and the important thing is to enjoy it. I’m doing good, and hopefully I can follow along this line and hope that the boss keeps having faith in me and I can continue to bring many things to the side.

LFP.es: Do you think the sky's the limit?
Arbilla: I’m in good form. I’ve had important, sweet moments each season of my career, and now with Espanyol we’re doing good things. We are all enjoying the good moment that the side is enjoying.

LFP.es: You scored a screamer against Getafe CF. Was it the best of your career?
Arbilla: Well, to tell you the truth, yes. I’ve not scored too many goals in my career and this was spectacular, but I scored some very nice ones in Liga Adelante, too.

"The way I’ve been treated since the first day has been incredible. I’m very happy to be at Espanyol and part of this great squad" 

LFP.es: How have you matured as a footballer and person since you took the step up to Liga BBVA in 2012?
Arbilla: Once you get to the elite, everything is easier. What has made me grow as a player is when I’ve had my problems. For example, I was in Segunda División B with Club Polideportivo Ejido and relegated with UD Salamanca. This made me grow; they’re situations that leave something with you, they make you mature and value everything more.

LFP.es: Who helped you the most when your arrived?
Arbilla: Everyone. I was surprised, because I found a great bunch. A family, I’d say. They’re all together and from the start you can see it. We all mean the same thing to the team and that’s fundamental for new players. The way I’ve been treated since day one has been incredible. I’m very happy to be at Espanyol with such a great squad.

LFP.es: How is it to play under Sergio González?
Arbilla: He was happy to join a Liga BBVA aide, and has shown he’s more than capable of leading a team like Espanyol. He’s very close to the players.

LFP.es: What is he emphasising ahead of the semi?
Arbilla: He’s asking us to carry on being ourselves, which is what we are doing. That we keep on doing the same work as always. The work we’ve done since day one is what has got us to where we are.

LFP.es: Is Europe a serious objective for Espanyol?
Arbilla: We haven’t had a clear objective from the start. Right now we are in a good part of the table but we won’t relax at all. We want to win every game that we can and we won’t give up. We will fight to matchday number 38.