Arsenal advanced to the Champions League group stage by defeating Udinese 2-1 on Wednesday night in Italy. Wojceich Szczesny’s penalty save kept the momentum of the match with the Gunners. Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott chipped in with the Arsenal goals, while Antonio Di Natale provided Udinese’s only tally of the match.
The key moment of the game came after the referee handed Udinese a penalty in the 58th minute. The score was 1-1, and Udinese needed two more goals to advance to the Champions League group stage. Antonio Di Natale was the obvious choice to take the penalty. The Udinese captain struck the ball hard but Wojciech Szczesny made a brilliant, stretching save and the ball popped over the bar.
Udinese would have fancied their chances of advancing had Di Natale converted the penalty. It was not a terrible strike from the Italian striker, but Szczesny made a strong, confident block. The shot had tremoundous power behind it, but the Polish keeper denied Udinese the opportunity. The Italian side looked dejected after the penalty, while Arsenal were uplifted by the great stop.
Di Natale opened the scoring for Udinese in 39th minute. The 33-year old put a majestic header into the Arsenal net. The ball floated towards the far corner and popped off the post before settling in the goal mouth. Di Natale had been unlucky early in the match when he had a goal disallowed and also hit the post.
At halftime, Arsene Wenger’s team had a very real chance of dropping [...]
Arsenal will be without several players when they play Udinese in Italy on Wednesday night in the second leg of the Champions Play-off. Arsene Wenger will be on the touchline after appealing the UEFA ban.
In the first leg, Arsenal pulled off a narrow 1-0 victory over Udinese. Theo Walcott scored the winning goal for Arsenal.
The Gunners will be without Jack Wilshere, Laurent Koscielny, Abou Diaby, and Kieran Gibbs at the Stadio Fruili. Arsene Wenger said that Tomas Rosicky will be in the squad, but he may not be well enough to start. Robin van Persie will return to the lineup after a suspension forced him to miss the first leg at the Emirates.
Arsenal will also be missing Samir Nasri, who was sold to Manchester City.
Here is what Arsene Wenger had to say about Wilshere (from Arsenal.com): ”Unfortunately Wilshere is not ready so that is bad news for us and adds to the players we miss with transfers and some through injuries. Of course at the moment the squad is short.”
The injury may sideline Wilshere for much longer than just the Udinese match. Wenger was quoted by BBC: “He’s in a boot again, so that means he will at least be out for two or three weeks. I don’t know if we are back to square one or for how long he will be out.”
Arsene Wenger will be able to join his players on the pitch Wednesday night. On Monday, UEFA handed Wenger a two-match touchline ban for [...]
Samir Nasri will miss Arsenal’s Champions League match against Udinese on Wednesday night. Nasri does not want to jeopardise a move to Manchester City.
Accoridng to The Guardian, Samir Nasri told Arsene Wenger that he didn’t want to play against Udinese, for it would disqualify the him from playing in the Champions League with Manchester City. Roberto Mancini said on Sunday that he may look elsewhere if Nasri is cup-tied.
Arsene Wenger had intended to bring Nasri to Italy and was not afraid to put him on the pitch. But Wenger has accepted Nasri demands, and a transfer to Manchester City looks closer than ever before.
Nasri has told friends that he does not mind staying at the Emirates, but he will not sign a new contract. Arsene Wenger was willing to keep Nasri and let him leave on a free transfer, but the Arsenal board are not ready to lose out on £20m-plus.
Arsenal need to just cut Nasri loose. He clearly does not have a future at Arsenal. Nasri’s discontent could become a dressing room virus that could spread to some of the other top players. If he does not want to play for Arsenal, Gooners do not want him at the Emirates.
And it is clear that Nasri does not want to play for the Gunners. He is poised to sit out this match after playing against Liverpool on Saturday. Arsene Wenger must realise that Nasri has no passion left for Arsenal if he is willing to miss [...]
Arsenal narrowly defeated Udinese in the first leg of the Champions League Play-off on Tuesday. Theo Walcott’s early goal was the only tally of the match. Arsene Wenger may face action from UEFA after he contacted the bench during the match.
Theo Walcott broke the tension at the Emirates early with a goal in the 4th minute. Aaron Ramsey made a run down the flank, and then curled a low cross into the box. Theo Walcott volleyed the ball into the net. It is was good finish from Theo, who looked dangerous the entire match.
Udinese were clearly not afraid to play at Ashburton Grove. They lived up to their billing as a free-flowing, counter-attacking side. Antonio Di Natale lofted beautiful chips into the box for his teammates, but the Italians were unable to convert. Pablo Armero, a quick wing back, was the best performer from Udinese, using his work-rate and pace to create a variety of chances.
Gervinho seems to be unable to cross or shoot without hitting the nearest defender. The Ivorian has great ball control and pace, but once he approaches the box, he either holds onto the ball for too long or smashes it into the closest opponent.
Udinese decided to play four in the back instead of three, which was customary for them last season. Their attack was fluid, particularly in the second period, and was fueled by a number of skilled wing players, like Armero, Mauricio Isla, and Giampiero Pinzi.
Arsene Wenger will again be subjected to the ire of [...]
Arsenal will take on Italian club Udinese tonight at the Emirates in the first leg of Champions League Play-offs. Arsenal will look to bounce back after a tough draw with Newcastle and the loss of Cesc Fabregas.
Wenger believes his side can stay strong during tough times: “We want to show that we have the strength and unity to fight as we ever did at this club.”
The Gunners will be without Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie due to suspension. Jack Wilshere is still bothered by an ankle injury, so he will not play. Arsene Wenger will also serve a touchline ban for his actions after RVP’s red card last season at the Nou Camp. Here is what Wenger told the media at his pre-match press conference:
“I can be in the hotel with the team. I just cannot be in the dressing room pre-match so I watch the game from the stands like everybody else.
“I do not want to cheat with the rules but I can watch the game.”
Arsene Wenger’s squad will need to perform well in their first match at the Emirates this season. Many Gooners are growing restless after the loss of Cesc Fabregas and the poor performance at St James’ Park.
Udinese finished fourth in last season’s Serie A, but they have lost three key players. Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona), Christian Zapata (Villareal), and Gokhan Inler (Napoli) left the Stadio Fruili. But Seria A top goal-scorer Antonio Di Natale remains with Udinese.
Udinese stand between Arsenal and a spot in the Champions League group stage. The Italian club finished fourth in last season’s Serie A. Arsene Wenger believes Udinese will be a difficult opponent for the Gunners.
Arsene Wenger, Samir Nasri, and Robin van Persie were be forced to sit out the first leg (at the Emirates) due to suspension. All three were banned for actions surrounding RVP’s red card in last season’s Champions League match against Barcelona.
Udinese have sold many of their star players this summer. Alexis Sanchez was shipped off to the Nou Camp, while Cristian Zapata and Gokhan Inler also departed. The squad still features top-scorer Antonio Di Natale
The first leg of qualification will be held in London on 16 August. The final leg will be played at Stadio Friuli on 24 August. The two-legged affair will be the first meeting between the clubs.
Arsene Wenger told Arsenal.com: “I would say [the draw is] difficult but possible. Who would want to play against an Italian opponent? We know we will have to be at our best to qualify.
“Udinese have lost Sanchez and Zapata [this summer] but they have many other good players. They have Di Natale and plenty of players who have quality.
“Let’s try to be at our best as quickly as we can because it is important for us to go through in the Champions League.”
Udinese play in the Serie A, so they will be well-conditioned and organized, but [...]
