Udinese v Arsenal
19.45, Wednesday 24th August 2011, Stadio Friuli, Udine.
After a summer of turmoil Arsenal approach what could be a defining game in Arsene Wenger’s reign as they face Udinese in the second leg of their Champions League Play-off. Carrying a 1-0 win from the first leg at The Emirates Stadium, Arsenal know that if they keep a clean sheet they’ll have averted a nightmare scenario that has never been seen in the Wenger years; failure to qualify for group phase of the Champions League. Arsenal’s task will be made harder by the absence of a number of key players with Jack Wilshere, Laurent Koscielny and Kieran Gibbs missing, amongst others. Samir Nasri is on the verge of completing his protracted move to Manchester City so Arsenal look short of the numbers, and possibly the quality, to go into this fixture with any amount of confidence. Although the team Arsenal look likely to field against Udinese may well have enough to see off the Italians, if things do go wrong, Arsene Wenger does not have the experience on the bench necessary to change the course of the tie.
Antonio di Natale was a constant threat for Arsenal in the first leg at The Emirates.
Udinese are a dangerous side and in Antonio di Natale they have a striker who has topped the Italian scoring charts for two years in a row. He is well supported from midfield and Chilean Mauricio Isla posed a menacing threat to the Arsenal backline with his direct running and close control in the first leg. It is therefore imperative for Arsenal to have Johan Djourou available to replace Koscielny so they can contain the threat of the Udinese strikers. Arsenal will look to play their usual game, based on technical ability and accurate passing, but this is a fixture that cries out for experience and Arsenal’s lack thereof, particularly in midfield, may prove their downfall in this match. Wily coach Francesco Guidolin will be fully aware of this and is sure to be letting his players know that if they get off to the sort of start Arsenal did in the first leg then they can cause The Gunners real problems.
However, it isn’t all doom and gloom for Wenger’s men and in Thomas Vermaelen they have a player who is more than capable of leading Arsenal’s defensive troops to a clean sheet. At the other end, Robin van Persie is always a threat and can muster moments of brilliance from nothing. With Gervinho, Andrei Arshavin and Theo Walcott as the supporting attacking options Arsenal know that there are goals in their side and if they score they will be huge favourites to qualify. In one off games Arsene Wenger is udoubtedly still one of the best in the business and the players know how important this fixture is. Arsenal are surely due a change in fortune sooner rather than later and although it will be a nervy night in Udine, I think they’ll have enough to just see off the Italian side on aggregate.
Dom’s tip: Arsenal to draw with Udinese is 23/10 with Skybet.
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