Kick-off: August 16, 2011 7:45 PM BST
After a difficult end to the season saw Arsenal drop down to 4th place in the Premier League, Arsene Wenger must rally his troops to face a tough Udinese side that are looking for their first Champions League appearance in seven years. Although Udinese have lost some of their key men over the summer, including Sanchez who made his way to the Nou Camp and Zapata, they have striker Antonio Di Natale who has been Serie A top scorer for the past two seasons.
Arsenal will be without Van Persie and Nasri as they serve their respective suspensions from the Barcelona 2nd Leg from last years Champions League competition, while Arsene Wenger will also not be present on the touchline due to his one match ban. Immense pressure is on the Gunners to make their 14th consecutive appearance in Europe’s elite competition, with only three competitive wins since February’s League Cup final horror show against Birmingham City.
Serie A is still only 2 weeks away, so questions will be asked of Udinese’s fitness levels ahead of this tough test with Arsenal, with the North London club fulfilling a successful pre-season and man-for-man will be a stronger team. With Vermaelen returning to the fold for the Gunners, their defence will have the much needed stability and brute strength that will be required against the tough Italian outfit.
“You never knock out somebody from Italy in an easy way so we prepare ourselves for a big challenge,” said Wenger. “But we know that and we are ready to give our all to be part of the Champions League Group Stage.
“If Udinese finished in the top four in Italy, they have quality. Yes they lost Sanchez, Inler and Zapata but they bought some players. They have Isla, Di Natale – they have great football players.”
“We will try to give our best to win the game without conceding goals,” said Wenger. “We want to qualify after two legs but if we can do it earlier, we will do it. I expect a game of 180 minutes where we will have to be at the top for as long as we can. We should not dream that after 90 minutes it will be over. I don’t think that would be the right approach.”
On respecting his touchline ban:
“I can be in the hotel with the team,” he explained, “I just cannot be in the dressing room pre-match so I watch the game from the stands like everybody else.
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“I do not want to cheat with the rules but I can watch the game.”
Wenger has also reiterated that Bendtner is still an Arsenal player and could play a part in the European fixture ahead, preventing him from playing for another Champions League club:
“I promised I would let him go if he found the right club and that has not changed because when I make a promise I keep it.
“But if he doesn’t find the right opportunity he will stay and fight for his place like everybody else. He looks sharp in training.”
allArsenal’s man to watch:
Szczesny
Sagna Koscielny Vermaelen (c) Gibbs
Song
Ramsey Rosicky
Walcott Chamakh Gervinho
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