Charlie Nicholas states his prediction for AC Milan v Arsenal
The Arsenal legend is backing Arsenal to beat AC Milan in the Europa League on Thursday night
Charlie Nicholas believes Danny Welbeck will inspire Arsenal to victory over AC Milan in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 clash at San Siro on Thursday night.
The Gunners lost 2-1 to relegation candidates Brighton and Hove Albion at Amex Stadium to limp to a fourth successive defeat in all competitions.
Arsenal lost 3-0 to Manchester City in the League Cup final and in the Premier League to heap pressure on Arsene Wenger.
Wenger’s side have lost four of their last five games including a 2-1 loss to Swedish minnows Ostersunds at The Emirates.
AC Milan are a team in transition under former club legend Gennaro Gattuso and the Serie A giants are looking to secure a spot in the Champions League thanks to winning the Europa League crown.
However, former Arsenal midfielder Nicholas is tipping the Gunners to beat AC Milan at the San Siro on Thursday night despite their miserable performances over the past few weeks.
“I have to be honest, I didn’t expect Arsenal to win at the weekend,” Nicholas told Sky Sports.
“I’ve never seen such pain in Arsene Wenger’s face and what does he do with this squad? Laurent Koscielny was an absolute embarrassment, Shkodran Mustafi has been an embarrassment too since he joined.
“AC Milan are bog standard and don’t score many goals, sat seventh in Serie A with just 37 goals scored and 30 conceded, so they’re far from the football machine of days gone by.
“At least Arsenal have goals in them and this is the competition they’re all in for, so I actually think they are value in them as outsiders to win on Thursday night.”
Arsenal have won the FA Cup in three of the past four seasons but the Gunners lost 4-2 to Championship side Nottingham Forest in the third round back in January.
The Gunners missed out on a top-four place in the Premier League last term.
