Udinese 1 - 2 Arsenal - Gunners Qualify For Champions League

It looked like Arsenal would be crashing out at half time of their second leg Champion€™s League qualifier against Udinese. The Gunners had thrown away their one goal lead against the Italians courtesy of an Antonio Di Natale header, and were looking jaded and outclassed all over the pitch. Cue Arsene Wenger€™s team talk however and a rejuvenated side ran out winners thanks to goals from Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott and a fabulous penalty save from Wojciech Szczesny. Under-pressure manager Arsene Wenger went into the game knowing that failure to qualify for the group stages of the Champion€™s League for the first time since 1998 would be a huge blow for his already struggling team. With Samir Nasri finally following Cesc Fabregas out of the door and no new faces in sight, the tie with Udinese at Stadio Friuli was an unwelcome prospect for the Gunners, especially after an impressive performance in the first leg from the Italian side. Francesco Guidolin€™s side were one goal down but had a very strong chance of progressing, especially as the flimsy lead flattered the Gunners€™ performance in the first leg. With so many attacking threats in the team led by dangerous veteran striker Antonio Di Natale, they knew they had every chance of knocking Wenger€™s team out of the competition. Injury problems for Wenger meant Carl Jenkinson was thrown in at the deep end at left back despite in all likelihood being signed as a future prospect rather than a starter. Yohan Djourou was passed as fit and started in the centre of defensive with Thomas Vermaelen, and Emmanuel Frimpong started in midfield despite being dismissed on Saturday in an otherwise impressive performance. Udinese fielded the same team that faced off against the Gunners 8 days ago and the Arsenal defence would have to keep both eyes on Di Natale, Pablo Armero and Mauricio Isla in particular, with Giampiero Pinzi also providing a creative presence in the middle of the park. The game kicked off, and Arsenal could have been one up in the opening minute. Gervinho burst down the left side and crossed low into the danger area, but Samir Handanovic claimed the ball. The Slovenian €˜keeper was alert again to beat out a swerving Theo Walcott effort moments later. Udinese hit the net in the 9th minute. Antonio Di Natale €“ Arsenal€™s main headache a week ago, struck a well caught volley that flew into the bottom corner of Szczney€™s net, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Colombian Pablo Armero -another danger man for the Italian side was also looking lively, he flew down the left wing with lightening pace but his cross was over hit. The Udinese side then hit the post but it was again offside. This time the chance came from the other wing, Mauricio Isla flew forward before sending in a dangerous cross. Di Natale was active again, getting a touch on the ball before Asamoah headed into the ground and up onto the woodwork. Arsenal were looking ropey at the back and the pace of Armero and Isla would doubtless cause problems. Di Natale then stung Szczney€™s hands with a low daisy cutter that was well held by the Polish €˜keeper. He would have to continue his fine form from last Tuesday to keep the Gunners in the game, and he had to helplessly watch the ball hit the post again minutes later as Di Natale got on the end of Isla€™s cross but couldn€™t quite hit the net. Arsenal€™s young central midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong, sent off at the weekend against Liverpool was showing his aggression again, winning a hard but fair challenge on Di Natale. Van Persie had a good chance on the half hour mark, a poorly cleared header from Neuton found the Dutchman€™s feet but he smashed it over the bar. A poor effort from the Arsenal striker, and a rare chance for Arsenal. A save from Handanovic kept the game goalless. Tricky Ivorian Gervinho went on a mazy dribble before squaring to Walcott. The Slovenian keeper parried the winger€™s shot but only as far as van Persie whose effort was bundled away by a combination of Danilo and Handovic again. The Italians countered quickly, a ball from Isla forced Di Natale too far wide however, and although he got his shot on target from a tight angle it was an easy save for Szczney. It proved a sign of things to come however as the talismanic Italian striker levelled the tie shortly afterwards, somehow getting enough on a lofted Giampiero Pinzi cross to loop a header over Szczney, coming off the post on its way in. The striker kissed the badge on his shirt to the delight of his adoring fans. Mauricio Isla was causing problems with young Carl Jenkinson looking unable to cope. His low cross almost found Di Natale again, Song managed to clear but only as far as Armero whose powerful effort flew well over. Arsenal were in desperate need of half time and were looking ready to crumble at any moment. The whistle finally came, and although Wenger would be happy with his side€™s attacking display there was plenty of issues to address in defensive areas. HALF TIME The second half started slowly, but an incident five minutes in caused a minor scuffle. Pinzi was brought down by Tomas Rosicky although there didn€™t appear to be any contact from the Czech. Arsenal didn€™t put the ball out of play to the annoyance of Udinese, and Jenkinson was fouled by Armero. After a brief dispute van Persie€™s free kick caused chaos in the box but Handanovic eventually gathered. The Dutchman then took matters into his own hands by equalising, putting Arsenal ahead in the tie once more. It was Gervinho€™s play down the wing again that created the chance. He beat Mehdi Benati far too easily and squared to van Persie, who calmly finished. A vital away goal for the Gunners who would now have to concede twice more to be knocked out of the competition. Udinese were given a penalty straight afterwards though to the confusion of the London club. Even Olegário Benquerença seemed in doubt as he pointed to the spot. A Di Natale corner wasn€™t cleared by Arsenal and after a few chaotic seconds the Portuguese ref pulled the game back. Replays showed that it was given for a Vermaelen penalty. Unsurprisingly, Di Natale stepped up, but Wojciech Szczney pulled off a save that defied belief. The penalty was well struck by the Italian striker and appeared to be heading into the top corner but the €˜keeper flew across his goal mouth to turn the ball over the bar, leaving the Stadio Friuli in a stunned silence. Gervinho was playing well, and after spinning past one Udinese defender he fired it towards the bottom corner but it was well smothered by Handanovic. Walcott put the tie beyond doubt on the 69th minute. A nice one-two with Bacary Sagna put the winger through after Udinese€™s defensive line found themselves sitting too far up the pitch. There was no catching the rapid Walcott as he sprinted towards Handanovic€™s goal before calmly slotting into the near corner. A fantastic finish and one that meant the end of Udinese€™s Champion€™s League run. Walcott was then brought crashing to the ground by the elbow of Brazilian Neuton. The referee didn€™t see it though, and the Udinese defender was extremely lucky not to be given his marching orders. To make matters worse, the Englishmen picked up his second yellow card in two legs in the ensuing argument and will therefore miss the first game of the Champion€™s League proper. Di Natale tried to get his team back in the game, firing a free kick towards the near post from a tight angle, but Szczney was on unbeatable form and was untroubled. Arsenal could have had a third but a brilliant double save by Samir Handanovic kept out shots by van Persie and Armand Traore. Arsenal saw out the remainder of the game with no real trouble and the final whistle confirmed their Champion€™s League qualification. The Gunners will clearly have to strengthen now, and the money earned from winning this tie means that Wenger should be very busy before the transfer window closes. Referee: Olegário Benquerença Arsenal (4-3-3) Szczney, Sagna, Vermaelen, Djourou, Jenkinson, Walcott (Arshavin, 90), Ramsey, Song, Frimpong (Rosicky, 45), van Persie, Gervinho (Traore, 86) Udinese Calcio (4-1-4-1) Handanovic, Danilo, Neuton, Mehdi Benatia (Pasquale, 87), Ekstrand, Armero, Isla (Denis, 83), Agyemang, Asamoah, Pinzi (Fabbrini, 63), Di Natale