Former Gunners star Charlie Nicholas fears Valencia’s away goal could prove crucial when they face Arsenal in the Europa League semi-final this evening.

The TV pundit believes the London club’s defence is unlikely to hold out at the Mestalla, and while his former team do have a two-goal advantage heading into the second leg, he’s predicting an edgy night:

“With that away goal, it scares me. I am on edge again here because I don’t know how Unai Emery goes about setting up his defence here.”

“The only way I can see Arsenal getting through this is if they go with a back five. Two will protect in the middle, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette should start up front. It doesn’t matter who plays next weekend so get those two in the team.”

Nicholas is predicting a 2-1 win for Valencia, with Arsenal just making it to the final with a 4-3 aggregate victory.

Gunners fans will, however, be hoping for a more comfortable evening than that but Valencia’s 6-2 thrashing of Huesca last weekend, having rested some key players, doesn’t bode well in terms of Arsenal keeping a clean sheet.

To be fair to Unai Emery’s side, they did manage to do just that in the last round, taking a two-goal lead to Italy before winning 1-0 against Napoli at the San Paolo. As Nicholas right points out, though, that away goal could be vital.