Arsenal are unlikely to resemble Wimbledon's old Crazy Gang tonight at Highbury (ITV, 7.45 p.m). But Arsene Wenger made it clear yesterday that the traditional English virtues of power, commitment and high-tempo football hold the key to overcoming Valencia. With the Spanish side more accustomed to playing at a slower pace, Wenger will stress to his largely foreign collection of midfielders and forwards that strength as well as sophistication will be needed to break down a defence which is the meanest both in La Liga (22 goals conceded in 28 games) and in the Champions League (six conceded in 12 games). "We need not just quality in our passing and calmness but power, English power," Wenger said. "Physical power will be important in the box in the last third and with runs from midfield and the flanks. The kind of physical commitment you have in the English league can make a difference. "When I say power, it is of course linked with the pace of the Premier League but without losing our heads. We have experience at the back and I will rely on that to make sure we can dictate that pace without losing our defensive stability, because not to concede a goal is very important."

With Lee Dixon, Martin Keown and Tony Adams fit, Wenger will complete an all-English back four with Ashley Cole, whose inclusion ahead of Silvinho seemingly reflects not just the youngster's good form but the game-plan.

"Silvinho is a little bit more tricky in the Brazilian way and Cole is a little bit more direct," Wenger said.

"For me, any victory without conceding a goal tomorrow night will be great but it is a big test for us against hugely-talented opponents who have renewed their strengths this season." Valencia combine those two qualities on the counter-attack, so Arsenal will have to strike the right balance between adventure and caution. The 6 ft 5 in Norwegian John Carew offers an obvious outlet up front, and the Argentinians Kily Gonzalez and Pablo Aimar, supported by Gaizka Mendieta, are quick and skilful. Having drawn twice with Manchester United, last season's beaten finalists are far from cowed. "Arsenal are not favourites because we consider we are a better team," said Carew. Speaking to his compatriots, Tore Andre Flo and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has heightened his confidence: "They assured me it wasn't very difficult to attain a draw at Highbury."

Lauren, who knows Valencia from his time in Spain, admits Arsenal must win tonight and keep a clean sheet to stand a chance of reaching the semi-finals, "because it's very difficult to score goal in their stadium". With Dennis Bergkamp injured, the scoring burden at Highbury is expected to rest on Thierry Henry and Nwankwo Kanu. Valencia arrive after two straight league defeats, but Arsenal know they must improve on last month's performance at Bayern Munich. "I was never worried we were not good enough," Wenger said, "but I was worried by how bad we could be in a game which was so important for us." He expects a change of pace tonight.

ARSENAL (probable): Seaman; Dixon, Keown, Adams, Cole; Parlour, Lauren, Vieira, Pires; Kanu, Henry.

VALENCIA Canizares; Angloma, Ayala, Pellegrino, Carboni; Angulo, Mendieta, Aimar, Kily Gonzalez; Carew, Sanchez.