Udinese 1 - 2 Arsenal ( Agg 1 - 3 )
With Samir Nasri's deal finally going through with Manchester City earlier today Arsenal had a lot to prove. There are a lot of people questioning Arsene Wenger and Arsenals ability at the moment. This was a must win game not alone for the financial implications. With Fabio Capello one of the interesting spectators in the crowd ( with his hometown of San Canzian d'Isonzo nearby ) some players had an extra reason to perform as if the stature of the game was not already enough.
The game started as open as last weeks encounter at the Emirates. Both teams showing their intent to win. Udinese started to get more of the play in midfield and after only eight minutes Di Natale had the ball in the back of the net, only for it to be ruled out for offside. It was the correct decision although it was a great finish. As the ball came over his head Di Natale turned and volleyed the ball in to the back of the net. This was a stark warning for Arsenal of what was in store.
Udinese really started to put Arsenals midfield and defence under severe pressure. Good play and pace by Modu down the right followed by a good cross to Di Natale whose shot came back off the post. By now the heat and the atmosphere in the stadium had heated up to a level that were making matters even more difficult for Arsenal. Frimpong gives away a free kick for a late tackle and receives a quick telling off from the referee. This is a massive game for Frimpong and he needs to break up the constant Udinese attacks from midfield. Some good work by Djourou sees him find Ramsey who plays a good ball in to Walcott, but once again his final ball is a let down. Arsenal are trying to come in to it and are getting chances. A great run by Gervinho sees him go by two defenders and do the correct and unselfish thing in squaring the ball to Walcott ten yards out and he shoots tamely and directly at Handanovic in the Udinese goal. Arsenal should of been one up and Walcott should be on the score sheet. At the other end Di Natale gets on the end of a deflected shot and tries to squeeze the ball in at the near post, but Szczesny does well to get a hand on it and keep the sore at 0 - 0.
Udinese are continuing to over run Arsenal in the midfield and constantly threatening to score. In the 39th minute they do just that. It had been coming and it had to be Di Natale as he'd been a constant danger. He got free in the box and manage to get on the end of a cross. Even though he was falling backwards he still managed to direct his header over Szczesny and go in off the post. It was a brilliant goal and well deserved. What have Arsenal got to give now. Udinese continue to poor on the pressure and Arsenal are glad to hear the half time whistle.
The second half sees Thomas Rosicky replace Emmannuel Frimpong in an attempt to make Arsenal a more attacking unit and to get someone to put their foot on the ball. The crowd gets aggrevated early over an incident involving Rosicky and Neuton, where the Arsenal man won the ball. The Udinese player stayed down, but arsenal play on and eventually win their own free kick. The players then get involved in some petty handbags. It results in a yellow card for Islon.
Arsenal show some intent with a good turn by Walcott to go by a player followed by what seemed more like a back pass than a shot on goal. Then out of nowhere Gervinho again beats two defenders on the left and pulls the ball back to the waiting Van Persie who struck the ball with his favoured left foot in to the back of the net to make it 1 -1 on the night in the 55th minute. Just as Arsenal come more in to the game Udinese are awarded a corner kick. Di Natale swings it in from the right and it comes off Vermaalen and the referee awards Udinese a penalty. A very harsh decision by the official. Di Natale steps up to take the penalty. He strikes the ball hard and towards the top corner, but Szczesny goes right and makes a great save. This was the turning point in the game. Arsenal are starting to string a few passes together . In the 69th minute Walcott plays a quick one - two with Sagna and is clear in on goal. This time his finishing doesn't let him down and he tucks the ball away to make it 1 - 2 to Arsenal on the night and it's game over.
Arenal play out the rest of the game well and with some confidence as they knocked the ball around nicely. It's a job done well in the end, although there were some nervy moments and it could of had a different outcome.
Arsenal progress to the group stages of the Champions League for the 14th season in a row which will come as a major relief to Arsene Wenger. The good points for Arsenal on the night was the performance of Gervinho. Now it's on to Manchester United at the weekend.
With Samir Nasri's deal finally going through with Manchester City earlier today Arsenal had a lot to prove. There are a lot of people questioning Arsene Wenger and Arsenals ability at the moment. This was a must win game not alone for the financial implications. With Fabio Capello one of the interesting spectators in the crowd ( with his hometown of San Canzian d'Isonzo nearby ) some players had an extra reason to perform as if the stature of the game was not already enough.
The game started as open as last weeks encounter at the Emirates. Both teams showing their intent to win. Udinese started to get more of the play in midfield and after only eight minutes Di Natale had the ball in the back of the net, only for it to be ruled out for offside. It was the correct decision although it was a great finish. As the ball came over his head Di Natale turned and volleyed the ball in to the back of the net. This was a stark warning for Arsenal of what was in store.
Udinese really started to put Arsenals midfield and defence under severe pressure. Good play and pace by Modu down the right followed by a good cross to Di Natale whose shot came back off the post. By now the heat and the atmosphere in the stadium had heated up to a level that were making matters even more difficult for Arsenal. Frimpong gives away a free kick for a late tackle and receives a quick telling off from the referee. This is a massive game for Frimpong and he needs to break up the constant Udinese attacks from midfield. Some good work by Djourou sees him find Ramsey who plays a good ball in to Walcott, but once again his final ball is a let down. Arsenal are trying to come in to it and are getting chances. A great run by Gervinho sees him go by two defenders and do the correct and unselfish thing in squaring the ball to Walcott ten yards out and he shoots tamely and directly at Handanovic in the Udinese goal. Arsenal should of been one up and Walcott should be on the score sheet. At the other end Di Natale gets on the end of a deflected shot and tries to squeeze the ball in at the near post, but Szczesny does well to get a hand on it and keep the sore at 0 - 0.
Udinese are continuing to over run Arsenal in the midfield and constantly threatening to score. In the 39th minute they do just that. It had been coming and it had to be Di Natale as he'd been a constant danger. He got free in the box and manage to get on the end of a cross. Even though he was falling backwards he still managed to direct his header over Szczesny and go in off the post. It was a brilliant goal and well deserved. What have Arsenal got to give now. Udinese continue to poor on the pressure and Arsenal are glad to hear the half time whistle.
The second half sees Thomas Rosicky replace Emmannuel Frimpong in an attempt to make Arsenal a more attacking unit and to get someone to put their foot on the ball. The crowd gets aggrevated early over an incident involving Rosicky and Neuton, where the Arsenal man won the ball. The Udinese player stayed down, but arsenal play on and eventually win their own free kick. The players then get involved in some petty handbags. It results in a yellow card for Islon.
Arsenal show some intent with a good turn by Walcott to go by a player followed by what seemed more like a back pass than a shot on goal. Then out of nowhere Gervinho again beats two defenders on the left and pulls the ball back to the waiting Van Persie who struck the ball with his favoured left foot in to the back of the net to make it 1 -1 on the night in the 55th minute. Just as Arsenal come more in to the game Udinese are awarded a corner kick. Di Natale swings it in from the right and it comes off Vermaalen and the referee awards Udinese a penalty. A very harsh decision by the official. Di Natale steps up to take the penalty. He strikes the ball hard and towards the top corner, but Szczesny goes right and makes a great save. This was the turning point in the game. Arsenal are starting to string a few passes together . In the 69th minute Walcott plays a quick one - two with Sagna and is clear in on goal. This time his finishing doesn't let him down and he tucks the ball away to make it 1 - 2 to Arsenal on the night and it's game over.
Arenal play out the rest of the game well and with some confidence as they knocked the ball around nicely. It's a job done well in the end, although there were some nervy moments and it could of had a different outcome.
Arsenal progress to the group stages of the Champions League for the 14th season in a row which will come as a major relief to Arsene Wenger. The good points for Arsenal on the night was the performance of Gervinho. Now it's on to Manchester United at the weekend.
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